Why Your Social Media Needs You to Actually Be Social
Social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn make it super easy to communicate these days. And I know it can be scary (especially for us techies) venturing out from behind our laptops, tablets and smartphones. But taking a step back from the technology and getting face-to-face with your local industry peeps could be the best thing you can do for your business. Communicating via Facebook and Twitter is necessary, but it is merely a supplement to being an active and visible participant in the community. Why is that, you ask?
- It puts a face with a Twitter handle - Following a company or exec on Twitter is a great way to see what’s going on with the company or in the industry, but I’m much more likely to pay attention to people I have personal connections with. Seek out events and meet-ups that some of the folks you want to be following you on Twitter will be attending and introduce yourself!
- It actually connects you to “people you may know” (real people, not just their profiles) – Social media sites often refer you to people they think you should know – connections of connections. But, wouldn’t it be nice to be promoted via word of mouth, too? Things are a lot easier if you have people seeking you out on your social networks rather than you seeking them. By immersing yourself in the community, you can meet new people and let them do the connecting for you.
- You can find out why they “like” you – Or, get them to “like” you, if they don’t already. Having in-person convos about your company or product gives you the opportunity to dive deeper than you can or should on a social media site. It will allow people to see that you know what you are talking about and are a strong thought leader on the topic.
Having a strong social media presence can surely be beneficial for your company, but if you pair that up with some old-school networking you may be surprised by the outcome. Getting out from behind the technology can put you face-to-face with people who can truly provide invaluable feedback about what is happening in the industry. Not that “likes” and “shares” aren’t important, but, all in all, you can’t beat good old-fashioned communication. Not to mention, it can actually help push people to your social media pages. So get out and enjoy what’s left of summer with some industry meet-ups and communicate with more than just a profile or Twitter handle.
Looking for tech events in the DC area? Check out some of the following for what’s happening: