Individuals and businesses small and large are hastily leaping into the world of social media because they are convinced they cannot exist or succeed in this day and age without incorporating social networking into their lives (and marketing plans). There is constant pressure to get you to start engaging, connecting, posting, sharing and liking; and the results are often similar to that of putting someone behind the wheel of a car without a license to drive.
I recently moderated a debate about whether the benefits of social networking are worth the consequences. I was dumbfounded by the cult-like mentality of people who defend social media like rebels without a cause. One of the most flabbergasting statements of all was that “social networking is good because everyone is doing it.” Is that really a good thing?
Would they also consider streets filled with license-less individuals driving cars, good?
Another argument made was that people have found long lost loved ones, thanks to social media.
On the other hand, how many people have lost loved ones due to senseless arguments or misunderstandings that arose on social networking sites?
The results of inexperienced individuals and businesses using online platforms can be all but a bed of roses, and if one is not able to identify the pitfalls and plan proactively, or react appropriately for that matter, you are doing yourself and your company a disservice.
Before you take your business online and step past the point of no return, be sure to deploy a plan that has been researched, deliberated, personalized, integrated, and ultimately complements all your other marketing efforts, while recognizing the potential pitfalls. Further, it is not worth posting and tweeting with reckless abandon if you’re not monitoring your efforts to see what is or isn’t working.
Remember, it’s much easier to drive a car when you have a license.
Do you find that businesses aren’t taking the time to look before they leap onto the social landscape? What mistakes do you see often made?
