27
2008
Solutions Stars: You Need Social Networks
The Network Solutions sponsored Solutions Stars Video Conference (Oct. 29 at 1, don’t miss it!) features nine content themes:
This is the seventh of nine posts in nine days, offering thoughts on each section.
You Need Social Networks
Here were my thoughts after viewing this series of videos:
This was by far my favorite section in the series. It was fantastic to see all of the bloggers touting the importance of social networking, in some cases, ahead of blogging.
It reminded me of a post I wrote on Now Is Gone last spring titled, “Stop Pushing, Start Pulling.” In that post I lamented the ever constant focus of companies pushing out content and not participating in social networks and communities. Here’s a healthy snippet:
…a customer probably couldn’t give a damn about Company X UNLESS it’s an active member of their community, a member who understands them and tries to resolve particular needs. Companies must become part of the larger whole.
Getting a blog out there is great. But so what? It’s not special anymore. People that say folks will flock to your site are operating off old marketing information from last year.
How are people going to find out about it unless you are participating in the larger discussion? Which social networks do you play in? Why will they care without relevant context to their problems. Ditto for blogger pitches. Don’t treat bloggers like media!!!! Why bother unless you really know what the blogger wants, writes about and cares about?
Since I wrote that post we’ve seen a lot more activity by companies in social networks, particularly on Twitter. Lots of folks are trying to figure out how to make Twitter work for their enterprise. Our interviewees were also very hot on Twitter, in particular Tim Ferriss and Tony Hsieh.
What was interesting was to see the different styles of Twittering, from Ferriss’ no follow back to Zappos unleashing 400+ employees on Twitter. Then there’s the whole personality thing on Twitter, too. Lots to think about…
Personally, I find Twitter to be a great place to be for Livingston Communications. And for Geoff Livingston (find me here). It’s been a mix of highs and lows, friends and the not so amiable, and in truth, some really strong conversations. Twitter has been the network I’ve hated, loved, from which I benefited, and also shied away.
Eighteen months after joining, I’m still Tweeting and every LComm employee has their Twitter address on their business card. After Google reader, it’s our top referrer to the Buzz Bin, and the top social network So in my mind, it’s a must. Not to mention, I have a lot of friends out there, too.
In addition to the main site, please visit the Solutions Stars Video Conference event pages on Facebook and Upcoming:
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