When first jumping into the social media world, it can be a bit daunting. You have no Twitter followers, perhaps no connections on LinkedIn or Facebook page members. It seems like an overwhelming task when you get into the space and see where others are standing currently. When I first got started for The Training Factor it was very daunting to me. One of the initial insecurities I faced was the overall conversation.
No one likes talking to a brick wall but that is how it feels when you first start. No one comments on your Facebook updates, no one
RTs your tweets or they don’t respond to your conversation. They share everyone else’s blog post but won’t give yours the time of day. When you jump in on your own and there is no one to promote you and you are not using any auto gathering services to build your base up it can feel really lonely. How ironic is that? Social media is supposed to be all about being social and this is how you wind up starting out? This is perhaps why many business folks will be all gangbusters for the first few months and then give up. I believe it’s because of unrealistic expectations and unfulfilled conversations.
We live in a trending world of trust gathering. We have been programmed not to trust as a result of the typical daily challenges we see and face. Just because you tweet it does not mean that people will trust you. You have to earn that trust. You also need that personality as well. It’s is very hard to hide what you are. If you are two-faced in social media it will be exposed. Make sure you are not trying to pretend to be something you are not. If your first and foremost goal is to sell something then that will come across in your conversation and you will have challenges in social media. It does not take a genius to realize that the world lives for business each day. When you have conversations with people their subliminal thoughts are not wondering which remote mountain you live on where you herd goats. They will want to know what you do for business and how that may help them or someone else. Make sure you make that path organic and not forced.
My next post in this series will talk about social media cliques and what you can and cannot do about them. I would love your thoughts on this aspect of social media insecurities!
Written by Jonathan Saar
You know I’m right there with you on this one. It’s a cold and lonely place. Takes lots of work and effort. (Real genuine effort … not fakery) HOW can you be engaging in a world where people won’t stop to listen? Tough. I am actually planning on posting something related to this soon…
Thanks Jonathan.. as always on point.
I appreciate you sharing your sentiments Bill. It’s important not to get discouraged when you first get going. On the flip side its important to remember all those who helped you along the way and don’t get too big for your britches so to speak once you start seeing some success. I appreciate you being here today.
No problem Jonathan… I’ll still talk to you. HAHAHAHA.
No problem Jonathan… I’ll still talk to you. HAHAHAHA.
I appreciate you sharing your sentiments Bill. It’s important not to get discouraged when you first get going. On the flip side its important to remember all those who helped you along the way and don’t get too big for your britches so to speak once you start seeing some success. I appreciate you being here today.
I appreciate you sharing your sentiments Bill. It’s important not to get discouraged when you first get going. On the flip side its important to remember all those who helped you along the way and don’t get too big for your britches so to speak once you start seeing some success. I appreciate you being here today.
Pingback: Tweets that mention Social Media Insecurities- Part I | Socius -- Topsy.com
Jonathan, your post is quite poignant, there have been times when I’ve asked, “where is the social?” It takes quite some time and effort to build the necessary social capital to be able to achieve quality engagement and relationships in the multiple platforms. Your counsel is wise to remain authentic, too often the early approach is to play the archer with constant targeting when the proper play is to work to be a magnet. Look forward to the rest of the series.
Mike I love the archer magnet analogy. That is one I had not thought of before but is spot on to the conversation here. This series is really a sharing of my own personal experiences that I hope will help others in some way. Thanks for joining the discussion today.
J
Love this post.
I starting blogging back in 2004/5 when it was still considered a form of an online journal.
It was crazy lonely back then and in the same respect it was a great time to work on my wherewithal. I like to think of blogging as just another way to work on that thing that is central to everyone’s ability to operate in business and life in general – character.
If you take the lessons that exist in the seasons of building and apply them when the fruit is ready to harvest you will have a better chance of avoiding the duplicity and egoism that will no doubt tempt you in your delivery.
Awesome stuff J – can’t wait to read the rest.
M
Mike- Lonely, but inspiring. I love that you put yourself out there to inspire people, many of whom you will never know you affected.
And through you and others, we’ve built an accepting, warm, and friendly online community of people who are supportive. Not a bad outcome from a a primitive “online journal.”
I agree Heather. Mike and others are great leaders for our industry. You are another person close to my heart who has been willing to take chances and be there for others. Our online community has served itself to much greater things for all of us.
Being a pioneer in the field is so cool. I love the analogy and visual you present. I am going to digest that one slowly tonight. To me if you enter the space for the right reasons in the first place, your commitment will help you overcome the obstacles that will be there. I appreciate your thoughts Mike.
Great post! Looking forward to part 2!
Thanks Wendy. I hope to have it out by tomorrow.
Pingback: Social Media Insecurities- Part II | Socius
Pingback: Social Media Insecurities- Part II - JonathanSaar.com