Social Media Success: To Be or Not To Be?

I know you’ve been busy.  Launching your new blog.  Building your brand. Exploring a new strategy.  Reading and researching the latest tool and platform. You blog, you tweet, you link and check in. You are diligent, consistent, and conscious, and yet … you still don’t feel as successful as you want to be.

In social media, success is not only attributed to what you do; it is dependent on who you are and why you do.  “Being’ and ‘doing’ are inseparable aspects of  your presence and influence. 

Who you are comes across more strongly than what you sell or say.  This means not only investing in social media, you must also to invest in yourself to grow and to be better.

You have the ability to teach, guide, influence, activate, catalyze, transform, elevate, and make deeper connections every time you enter this space, but only if you are willing to make your  TO BE list is as high of a priority as your TO DO List.

Here’s a start, as you consider the impact you want to make:

1. Be Real.  Putting out a honest and accurate sense of who/what you are is more than a nicety; it is a necessity for your social media success.  You will not be trusted, admired or valued, if you are not real.  Even if you are representing a company or brand; the people on the receiving end of everything you put out need to know you are real.  This kind of authenticity takes commitment and dedication.  Take time to really get to know what matters to you, hone your story, and share passion in everything you do. Give people a reason to want to know more!
2. Be Generous.  In social media(and in life) we are remembered for what we give and not what we get. So, if you’ve got it, share it and spread it around generously.  Hook your audience up with juicy articles, tips, and photos/videos that satisfy their needs.  What problems do your current and potential clients have to which you can offer solutions with no expectation of reciprocity?  There are a variety of ways that you can use social media to amplify your generosity and support your community in ways that exceed their expectations.
3. Be Prepared. A common mistake that individuals and business make is to target the social media market without a plan. Create a calendar of offerings and intentions. Have a plan for sharing content,blogging,listening,responding and engaging in both formal and informal ways.
4. Be a Master Learner.  Proficiency becomes our deficiency when we stop learning.  There are many people obsessed with achieving expertise in the market. The moment you proclaim yourself to be “expert”, “guru”, or “master of of your domain”, you lose. Make learning with and from others a priority. Use this knowledge and content to move you towards your objectives; and always remember to give thanks to your “teachers” in the process!
5. Be Selective.  There are literally thousands of tools, platforms, and apps. Selectivity is a necessity. Not every new shiny toy will bring you more success than the ones you are using currently. Have a Core Toolbox and add  to it slowly and cautiously. It can be devastating financially and tactically to spend too much time looking for the next best thing.
6. Be A Great Listener.  The key to your success is your ears not your mouth. Great learning and conversations stem from your ability to be a great listener.  Listening thoughtfully gives you a better sense of what people are saying and how they are feeling. In virtual spaces where there are no visual cues, good listening skills become a powerful asset. Listening also helps you map out your current social media footprint and measure your efforts over time.
7. Be A Question Asker.  I have been teaching and writing about the importance of asking great questions for a long time.  Great questions are the best way to have a meaningful conversation, the best way to rope in a mentor  AND the best way to look like a star performer.  Make it a priority to listen to people asking great questions. Be in charge of the questions you ask and keep a list of the best questions you hear.  Use this to create a question toolbox you use and can apply to every conversation and interaction you have.
8. Be Courageous.  For those unfamiliar with technology and new to social media, I understand jumping into the world of social media can be scary.  It’s a big step, especially if you’re accustomed to “old habits.” But now is not the time to be timid.  In today’s rapid fire economy, it is imperative that you be willing to accept, learn how to use, and implement social media and new technologies.  Your competitors certainly are.  Luckily you don’t have to take the jump in alone.  There are tons of ways to find individuals to learn from and be mentored by. As long as you  take the time to plan, practice, and then execute your TO BE list; success will follow.

Humanity’s misfortune is when we don’t realize the very gifts we have, or the impact we have the opportunity to make. We don’t serve the rest of the world or ourselves by playing small.

So what are you waiting for? Embrace the now and be willing to address what is holding you back.

To Be or Not To Be?  The choice is yours!

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