What The Social Media "Elite" Won't Tell You

// February 10th, 2009 // Technology

So I’ve ranted and raved about social media a lot lately so I figured I’d keep going. I’m not a negative person, I promise. I just think that the mass and instant communication tools that we have all been given (for free) are quickly saturated by those who are only concerned with making a buck. I’m not talking about all of them, but a good many are only concerned with telling you how to “grow your network” and “make money”.

I’m all for making $$$ to make a living, but I’m also all for community. Real community that isn’t concerned with just making money off their friends/followers! Here are some things you won’t hear most of the social media “elite” tell you.

1. Be Real.  Meet the people you are connecting with, don’t send DM or Instant Messages that direct them to a product or your “How to make bank with Twitter” post.
2. Don’t Try To Make Money.  You’d be surprised at how many people meet others and create connections that lead to work.  I know.  I’ve worked with musicians and web projects with people that I met on Twitter, Facebook and Myspace.  I wasn’t trying to get work!  I was just being myself and people were able to learn who I really was.
3. Delete Friends and Followers If Needed.  If someone you follow or a “friend” sends an automatic DM or Message that is selling you something- delete it.  Drop them.  It’s ok.  They are selling you something not trying to be your friend.  Think telemarketing.. we all hang up on most of them!
4. Turn Down The Noise.  Do what you want when it comes to followers and friends.. accept them all or accept only a few.  It’s your network!!!
5. Ignore The Rules.  Wait, there are no rules.  I promise.  There is no definitive rule book for social media.  Sure, a lot of stuff has been written on growing your network and community, but none of those came from the Constitution.
6. Don’t Be “That” Guy/Girl.  Guru, Rockstar, Evangelists, Expert, Maven- all the self-proclaimed titles…  This is one the weirdest trends I’ve seen in social media.  Like I said above, there are no rules so if you are a self-proclaimed expert then you must think you know the rules and want to teach everyone.  Wrong. You don’t know me.
7. It’s Your Social Network.  Do you let others tell you how to run your social life?  Why would you do that online?  Use your social networks how ever you like, it’s your network.  If you want to piss people off and be the high-pressure/annoying sales “friend” go for it, just know it’s not much different online than when you call my house at 9pm to sell me something!

I’m in total agreement that we all use social media for separate reasons.  We also have social lives outside of the internet that aren’t much different.  We don’t like to be sold to every other minute and not all of us are out looking for “get rich quick” schemes!

Please also know there are some great Social Media peeps who are very popular and get it.  Who do you follow or are friends with that get social media, I want to know!?