Quit Playing Social Media Hokey Pokey

by Scott Bishop on February 12, 2010

Are You Committed To Your Social Media Efforts? Are Both Your Feet In?

I’m coming up on the half way mark of the 28 Day Blogging Challenge.  I’ll reveal my complete results at the end of this experiment but so far this little challenge has proven to me once again that going half way will produce zero results.  Both Feet have to be in.

I’ve always done ok here at RTM.  My posts were usually well received, when I wrote them.  But the activity was to scattered to build a true following.  I’ve always been very active on Twitter and because of that, that’s where I’ve had the most success.

This month I’ve taken a head first dive into this blog and regardless of the final tally for web traffic and subscribers, I’ve already won.  In the last 12 days I have seen a great boost in my numbers, but even more importantly I’ve been reminded over and over about how much I love doing it.

Social media is not the hokey pokey.  Both feet are in, or they aren’t.

Either you are going to decide to have a presence or you’re not.  Either you are going to maintain a blog or you’re not.  Much of the success is determined by just being active and engaged.  You can always tweak to optimize results.  I’ve stated an many occasions that an inactive Twitter account is the same if not worse than having one at all.  Same goes for your blog or any other prescience you have online.  If your blog is strictly for venting and your twitter account is purely for personal reasons then you can get away with spotty activity.

But if your brand or business has jumped into the social media space, either you’re a player or your not.

This is not a time to dip your toes in the water to see if it’s safe.  Do your research and focus intensely on a strategy.  The social media waters run fast…but if your strategy is solid then the water may be rough at first, but at least you know you’re going in the right direction.

Not every channel is going to make sense for your brand, but do your research and select the channels that lead to the most opportunities.  Then make the commitment to dominate it and just go for it.  You don’t need to be the most watched YouTube video of all time…but as long as you’re passionate and putting our great content for your network, you’re making waves and pushing forward as best you can.

Working out 4 days a month will not get you in shape.

Watering a garden every other week won’t grow plants.

2 Amazing blog posts a month don’t gain momentum for your blog…

…it just reminds people of all of your potential you’re not utilizing.

(note: Based on the marketing wisdom of Tyler Hurst, I’ve changed this blog title to it’s current name as well as a complementing pic.  The previous title was ok, but not great.  It’s always great to have smart friends who push you to a higher level.)

This is DAY 12 of my “28 Day Blogging Challenge“

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Scott S. Bishop is editor for Real Time Marketer and a marketing strategist with a specialty in social media.  He is an avid blogger and active across the net.  He is @thescottbishop on Twitter

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Tagged as: Blogging, commitment, media efforts, media space, Social Media Strategy, Strategy, subscribers, Twitter, web traffic

Article by Scott Bishop

Scott Bishop is editor for Real Time Marketer and is the Director of Social for an integrated marketing firm. He is an avid blogger and active across the net. He is @thescottbishop on Twitter

Scott has written 127 awesome articles for Us.

  • http://tdhurst.com tdhurst

    Dammit. I don't want to blindly praise you here, but you're totally correct. Most of the people I know who don't understand communication, a problem or other people never let go. They never get into it, and they play hokey pokey (some play on that would have been an awesome headline) with their abilities and wants.

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  • http://www.bigteeth.tv big_teeth

    What this really means is I need to hire you to write my blog. I struggle withwhat's interesting, but equally important how does it relate to my brand and why will people connect the two?

    So, you in Scott? Official Big Teeth Blogger? I pay in rice cakes.

  • http://tdhurst.com tdhurst

    That's Mr. The Scott Bishop to you, sir.

  • sbishop

    The best way to find out what your audience thinks is interesting is just to write. After a while you can get a flavor what they like and what they don't just based on activity. But it's prob gonna be much diff than you expect, at least thats how it works for me. I'll write what I think is a home run, and get little reaction. Then I'll write one that takes 5 min and I'll get more RT's and comments than any other post.

    You're doing some really cool projects, so even a “behind the scenes” approach might be really cool. Or each time you work with a client, ask them 5 questions that are off the wall and offer a side most readers haven't seen or read about, but still appropriate for your blog. And just have a client focus.

    At least you're willing to pay, I accept. Can I sub rice cakes for like, granola bars? They have at least some flavor.

  • sbishop

    You sir, are a marketing genius, I've changed the name and pic based 100% on your recommendation. Thanks for always keeping me on my A-game. Well, at least my version of A-game.

  • http://tdhurst.com tdhurst

    Give a group of smart people a goal and cool things happen.

  • sebish

    I thought this was very good and agree with the concept – keep up your passion and good luck on your challenge!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/cobrandy Andy Cindrich

    But Scott, are you making money? 

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