I’m not too proud to teach Social Media 101!
Last week I spoke with several very smart business leaders in the Buffalo NY (Organizational Development Group of WNY) area and I learned a lot by talking and interacting with them. In the social media fishbowl we play with technologies like Twitter, Blogging, Facebook and Linked in like it’s no big deal. It’s not bout the technology right? The technology has largely enabled a more dynamic and robust venue for anyone to have a voice. The problem is this, “It IS about the technology!” People are afraid of it and when folks like myself come rolling into their meeting and tell them about all of the great things social media can do for their business they really want to try it. I have seen numerous people from this meeting jump on twitter and attempt to send a message or two out into the chasm. They seem to be able to follow folks, but have no idea how to @message, send Direct messages, or really listen in on the space for opportunity. As social media veterans we really need to provide resources for the new person entering the space and I am going to attempt this by creating a section here on my site called Social 101 for business.
For the Social Media veteran or Practitioner here are a few reasons you need to educate before you preach:
1. If people cannot interact they have no value to the community and will find no value in the tools.
2. You have a very small window of opportunity to help someone get involved. People are very quick to turn back to the “This stuff is stupid” way of thinking if they do not find value quickly.
3. You cannot tell a seasoned business owner to stop advertising in the Penny Saver classifieds or the local news listings without proving to them why craigslist or a host of other free classified services perform better.
4. Take the above thoughts and look outside of the fishbowl of people who “Get it”. Reel in your thoughts to when you were just starting out. Answer some of the questions that you had early on.
5. Finally, we have a massive number of baby boomers like my parents who own businesses. They want to keep up with the times. They are seeing revenues fall off and they are seeing the new kids on the block come in with more energy, more technology and more drive steal their business. Start these people with the basics and get that huge wheel rolling in the right direction. They’ll thank you for it and then they will pick up their old analog phone and refer you to their friends!
In November I will be hosting my first set of Social Media for Business Lunch and Learns in the Buffalo, NY and surrounding areas. If you think your business, group or organization can benefit please feel free to get in touch with me. I hope to have a bunch of these resources up in the coming week as well as more info about the Lunch and Learns. You can get automatic updates in your email very easily by clicking here (Email). You can also get updates to an RSS reader if you are a bit more advanced by clicking here (RSS).
If you are new to social media or an old salt, I’d love to hear your recommendations for what needs to be in the resources section. Thanks!
Photo Credit: Tracy Apps
Keith Burtis is a social media and digital marketing professional. If you or your company are looking to REV THE ENGINE on your digital efforts contact Keith today! Specialties include: Blog design/Integration, Custom Facebook Pages, Social, Digital and Interactive Content strategies.
Comments
I think you’ve hit the nail right on the head Keith. Many people know what they want to do, but they don’t know how to start off. Whilst others, I also others are under the impression that it’s more complicated than it really is, and that is what puts them off trying it out.
Sue´s last blog ..A Community Manager Should Never Stop Learning 
It’s funny Keith, this was pretty much what I wanted to talk to you about last week. We should still talk. It’s a great idea and something that people can use. I’ve seen many people talk about the need to be educated on using these social media tools, and SM veterans can be helpful, if only they’d break out of the echo chamber. Good for you for taking the first step. I’d like to be a part of this somehow too.
ChrisCavs´s last blog ..Chris Cavallari teaching at Maine College of Art
Even if you do understand how social media can help business, it does not mean you’re necessarily a good teacher. Being a good teacher means relating to the issues that your students are facing. You have to understand the other point of view.
I can say with great confidence, that you know what you’re talking about and you are a great teacher, Keith.
I’m working on the teacher part.
@DavidSpinks
David Spinks´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at
BAM! Love it! This is so true and my own clients who look to me to become the “veteran” are still waiting for me to help formulate a Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, another tool, another tool, another tool, “101″!
Is it somewhat boring for those being viewed as “social media experts”? Sure! Is it necessary? Absolutely.
I’ve read article after article from social media proponents barking about how more CEO’s, COO’s, Cheerios, and other “corporate drones” should “get involved in the conversation” on social media. But like you point out, if they do not even know how to use the simplest of these tools… how can they get engaged? And… if they can’t… who’s going to show them how?
I commend you for stepping up and tackling this issue. I myself am working to include this in workshops that I deliver to clients, but I’m no expert (or will not claim to be by any means) so I look to those veterans such as yourself to learn the “best practices” or at least the “bare minimum practices!”
Thanks for stepping up!
Great idea Keith. This is what Scott and I tried to do here in South Dakota as well. I completely agree that you must educate before they can truly see the value.
Let me know how your lunch and learns go. Good luck!