Humans are social creatures so when given an opportunity to socialize, we generally get involved. If you access social sites to undertake a social marketing program, you may find yourself getting involved in the social more than the marketing.
It can and does happen to us all. There are two strategies that you can put in place that may help your social marketing achieving its goal.
The first may surprise. Go with the flow. If you are a social person then be social. What you need to keep in mind at all times is your end goal. Watch what you say and who you say it too. Although you are being yourself while socializing, the old war adage that loose lips sink ships can be so deadly accurate when it comes to social media.
Being social and being yourself can often lead to more sales than going in with the hard sell. Your ‘trust’ factor will be that much higher as others will not see you as a social marketer.
The second option is harder to achieve and often doesn’t have the same results. Control is the name of the game. Control and focus. You need to focus on why you are socializing and what your goals are. You need to maintain strict control over what you are doing and not allow yourself the freedom to wander off in different directions. Your ‘trust’ factor may not be as high depending on how others perceive you. If you can display a real social nature whilst maintaining strict control then that perception may be as a friendly participant.
To say that your socializing is getting in the way of your social marketing can show a lack of understanding of the social media around at present. The focus is on being social with the marketing is a side benefit. Go forth and socialize – the social marketing will occur naturally.
Great post. Socializing in social media is certainly a big “distraction” but I think many sales pros will say that it’s just part of building rapport.