social media – Page 2

If They Don’t Ask Me Directly…

A writer posted a question
about my specific niche.

I thought about answering it
but then I realized
if they had explored the niche
at all,
they know I write in it.

It would have been
super easy
for them
to ask me that question.

They didn’t.
Which likely meant
they didn’t want my input.

So I saved myself
some time and frustration
and went back to work
on my projects.

If you’re not asked
a question
directly,
think hard
about whether or not
you want to expend energy
answering that question.
Especially on social media.

Your time is precious.
Protect it.

The Alternatives To Twitter

The alternatives to Twitter
(or X
or whatever he’s calling the site
today)
all currently suck.

They’re new.
They have bugs.
They don’t yet have
the customer base
to make it
worth a big company’s while
to invest time into.

And I suspect
only one of them
will survive.

I’m investing a bit
of time into them,
however.

Why?

Because some of
the big influencers
in my industry are doing the same.

And because
there aren’t many people
using the sites right now,
they are willing to follow
and promote…
me
and my books (products).

That is exposing my books (products)
to huge new-to-me readerships (customers).
And I’m building relationships
with these influencers.

Consider joining
the Twitter alternatives.

One Social Media Company

I’ve seen quite a few posts
from people
thrilled to have
all their social media platforms
owned by one company.

Speaking as someone
who has lost
one of her social media platforms
for no valid reason
(and yes, that social media platform
was owned by that one company),
you don’t want one company
to own all your social media platforms.

When you give banned
from one platform,
you’ll be banned
from all of them.

And, if you are running a business,
there is a good chance
you WILL be banned
from one of your social media platforms.

You could get hacked.
You could receive a complaint.
You could be selling
a product/service
that social media platform owner
doesn’t approve of.
Heck, you could be a person
that social media platform owner
doesn’t like.

Poof.
All your contacts
on all your social media platforms
are gone.

Ensure all of your social media platforms
aren’t owned by one big company.

Mitigate your risk.

And ensure you own
at least one online contact point.

If You’re Arguing On Social Media…

Yesterday,
I was a heartbeat away
from arguing with a stranger
on social media
about something non-business related.

I caught myself
in time.
And I realized…

I should be funneling
that energy
into my business.

Arguing with a stranger
wouldn’t accomplish
anything.

I was unlikely
to change his mind.
He was unlikely
to educate me
in any way.

All it would be
was a time suck
and an energy drain.

I closed social media
for the day
and I worked on my business.

When you find yourself
arguing
with strangers
on social media,
that’s a sign.

It is time
to get back to work.

Delete Old Problematic Posts

A stranger looking for a fight
found an old post of mine.
He posted a harsh comment.
Then he directed
his equally awful friends
to the post.

I deleted the post.
And I blocked
all of them.

Everyone in my circle
had already seen the post.
It hadn’t interested them.
It no longer served
any purpose for me
and for them.

There was no incentive
for me to keep it.
And there was no incentive
for me to engage
with the fight-seeking stranger.

Delete problematic
social media posts
if they no longer serve
any purpose for you.

Your Social Media Posts Could Be Reposted ANYWHERE

I posted a reply
on the bird site.

When I logged onto
the elephant site,
I saw someone
had reposted
my reply there.

This happens.
Often.

(And, unfortunately,
it is rarely
one of my book posts
that gets reposted.)

Assume that when you post something
anywhere,
it could be reposted
EVERYWHERE,
including sites
you would never visit.

Ensure your posts
represent
the branding or the person
you want others
to see.

Having Your Own Online Space

I LOVE social media.
I absolutely love it.

Many of the venues
are great for promoting products,
especially books.

There are a variety of people
and many experts
are on social media.

But these social media sites
are controlled by other people.
I was evicted from Facebook.
Twitter is having issues.
Sites come and go.

My own sites,
my blogs,
including this one,
remain.

I have been posting
daily
for over 16 years
here
(first on Road To Forbes,
then on Client k).

I own the site.
I decide
what to do with it
and how long
I stay here.

That’s valuable.

If you’re building a business,
set up a website
or blog.
Own it.
Control it.

Ensure customers
always know where to find you.

Promote Your Newsletter

As another social media platform
changes leadership,
this is a good time
to market the sh*t
out of your newsletter.

EVERY business should have
a newsletter.
That is direct contact
with customers and prospects
WE control.

I download my list
of subscribers every month
so I can switch newsletter providers
at any time.

Post links to
newsletter sign up pages
on every social media platform.
Add that information
at the bottom of every invoice/receipt,
every message.

Then offer unique content
with your newsletter,
something people can only receive
if they subscribe.
This could be tips or advice
or coupons or anything else
your customers would value.

Build your newsletter.
MARKET your newsletter.
It is your most powerful promotional tool
and it is all yours.

Did They Ask A Question?

I make soup stock
using bones
and I shared that fact
on social media.

A new-to-me follower replied,
stating she never found
that kind of soup stock
flavorful.

I began to reply,
planning to give her
my tips on
how I increased the flavor
but then I realized…

She didn’t ask
for that information.

I might have continued replying
if I was intent on selling her
a soup stock recipe
or something similar
but I had no pay off
for possibly irritating her.

So I saved myself some time
and her some possible aggravation
and I didn’t answer
the question
she didn’t ask.

Not everyone with a problem
wants a solution
to that problem.

Choose your discussions
wisely.