Social networking or social notworking?
Are we involved in social networking or social ‘notworking’?
A few days ago I posted that very question on LinkedIn
As many of us move closer to our twitter/FB/linkedIn pages, are we pandering to the ‘latest thing’ or is it really going to add value to our business. Studies show that instead of networking and adding value many people are actually hiding behind the screen and filling content into these sites but ‘not working. Social networks can and will help develop business but its how effective you are with your time online that is important! there’s little scope for a hard sell approach – Buy xxx now!! – instead brands and companies need to add personality, support and offer something back before the astute user of social networks will even consider the ‘buying process’ Your thoughts?
Here are some examples of responses so far:
1.
Integrated Marketing & Communications Specialist Social media marketing/branding is about engaging and informing buyers/clients/customers. Wanting to ‘advertise’ your brand has changed from showing print pictures or TV adverts and having a ‘call to action’ to now telling stories and building those emotions about a brand by having a dialog and LISTENING to customers, not selling to them. I agree that some people probably waste a lot of time and don’t create value for brands though companies are buying in a big way. Look at Pizza Hut’s announcement this week about hiring a Twinturn, an intern to work the social media aspect of the brand. I can see a book deal, a YouTube channel, TV and media coverage, you name it, about this lucky young student who lands this job!
2.
nice one .. “social notworking”. lol. I try to monitor that on a regular basis at our office to ensure that’s not happening as our whole team’s on Twitter
3.
Other than an opportunity to expand the lexicon of Twinglish, the challenge is to learn by experience, doing something along the lines of what Pizza Hut has attempted, which requires constant, dedicated effort. I hope that Twinturn isn’t just a canary in a mineshaft…
…it’s an interesting debate and one worth further analysis…but for now I have to go and tweet 
