2 April 2009 No Comment

When you think about social networking, or social media marketing, we tend to think of it as something that we have to do instead of something that should happen naturally.

A post by Jenn Givler at CreateAThrivingBusiness.com today about whether or not you need to be on twitter 24 hours a day made a great point about this topic.

Jenn says,

“One of the concerns I hear often from people who really want to start using social media, but are still a little hesitant is, they feel like, if they start, they’ll be stuck behind their computer all day. And that, to make social media really effective for them, they’ll have to be constantly checking in, constantly participating, and constantly involved.”

There is a real fear among people wanting to get into social media. I think that’s something that is severely overlooked, but the emphasis I wanted to make with this post is in the bottom part of the quote. Jenn says that “they’ll have to be constantly checking in…”

Because of the way that social networking is being pushed right now (and for good reason, we are a social people) the meaning begins to get lost in the shuffle. Instead of people naturally connecting and flowing together, they are in a mad scramble to connect, follow, friend, or link together with as many people as they can and force themselves to interact. That is a pretty scary proposition to someone who has never tried networking or is a naturally shy person.

Jenn goes on to point out that your social networks will always be there and won’t crumble if you take a breather. In fact she points out that it is a good thing to take a breather.

“We need those natural pauses in your interactivity so that we can catch up with what you’ve shared, and so that we can naturally interact with you.”

Catch the word natural?

I recently went to a basketball game that the local high school was playing. In the stands were about 500 fans. Friends, family, and followers of both teams that were playing. The place was packed. However, I didn’t try to meet every single person there. I didn’t want to meet everyone there. I talked with those I knew, said ‘hi’ to some acquaintances, and was introduced to a few new people who I wrote down in my contact book to save for a later day. I didn’t force anything.

We get so into the whole “follow as many as you can so they will follow you back” playbook that we forget what social networking is about. Natural and organic connections that come through common interaction instead of force. When that is done you begin to form relationships that are long lasting, beneficial, and mutual.

Take Social Networking As It Is… Natural Connections

For anyone who is thinking about getting started with social media and networking then this is probably the biggest piece of advice I can give you. Be natural.

Don’t get caught up in the have to of social marketing, but instead let things naturally progress. You’ll have a much better time with social media.

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