As Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn continue to evolve more and more people are getting on board. It’s the whole momentum thing. The early adoptors get on board, pay the price for the bugs and glitches but also get the payback for establishing relationships with other early adoptors. The Social Media Kool Kids.
As time goes by, the people who are less adverse to risk or are, shall we say, less creative about ways to expand their sphere of influence, get on board and create a little more buzz and a little more momentum. Pretty soon, if the thing – whatever the thing is – has anything to say for itself, it will start to look like a snowball rolling downhill. Everybody wants to get on board.
This happens a lot in the stock market. No matter how much you hear “Buy low, Sell high” people always do it the other way. They wait until everyone piles on board, gets the price nice and high and then “BUY”. Same way with Social Media. The only difference, I can see is that most of Social Media hasn’t found a way to make money other than Facebook.
More importantly, I haven’t seen anyone (and maybe my world is a little too small) that has used Social Media almost exclusively and made the Big Bucks.
More Than Just A Presence
So the big question is this: Does Social Media Really Work for Business?
I know. I know. If you’re in business you almost have to have a presence in Social Media. It’s kinda like having a website. Years ago, I knew a mortgage professional that was resisting and resisting putting up even the most rudimentary static website. Why bother? Most of his business came from past clients and referrals from Realtors.
After awhile, he got the memo. He put up a website. Now, he’s into webinars, Facebook, etc. and so on. He’s there.
But, his business hasn’t changed that much. He still gets a lot of business from past clients and referrals from Realtors. No, the big difference is that people can fill out his application online. A good thing but not something that creates new business.
Does Social Media Really Work For Business?
I would really be interested in hearing or, rather, reading your story. Have you done something in the Social Media sphere that has helped you expand your business opportunities? Is it more than just “being authentic” and showing your “personal side”? Is it more than just entertainment?
I’m still experimenting with social media. As a life coach, I don’t expect it to drive clients directly to my door. I’m trying to pull people in and build a relationship by signing them up for free seminars and/or my free newsletter. I’ve been succussful in driving traffic to my website, but converting traffic to signed clients is tough. I applaud you for raising this issue. I think it’s way to easy to get caught up in the world of CTR, impressions, etc and lose sight of the purpose of marketing, which imho is to grow the business.
Thanks, Cynthia. You’re right. Growing your business is key. Social Media can be fun and I think some people do make it work for them but my guess is the vast majority do not.