Tag Archives: social media

Maybe it’s time to dumb down our Social HR presentations

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social 101When it comes to adoption of Social tools into our organizations some folks may be a little behind in adapting. That’s okay, because that was us at one time or other.

I have spoken at my share of events and conferences especially in regard to technology and social tools in the workplace. Something I have to keep in mind is that “Not everyone is on the same level playing field.” We’re all at different levels of adoption and knowledge of these things. And that’s okay.

At a few recent events we (those of us who have been involved in social and technology longer) seemed to have forgotten this and really seemed to have taken it over the top of the heads of the attendees.

Sometimes we talk to our audiences in our own language and they’re sitting out there looking at us like a young calf looking at a new gate.

I try to remember when presenting that it’s best to “keep it simple, stupid” – because you don’t want to lose your audience completely.

When holding social presentations there will probably always be a mixture in the crowd of the following:

  • Those that have no clue about social adoption (as it regards internal collaboration and social media at work)
  • Those that understand the need for adopting but have no idea how to begin
  • Those that think these tools should never be incorporated into the cubicles and spend tons of dollars on “how to block it” at work
  • Those that have jumped in and are getting their feet wet
  • Those that have fully adopted technology (mobile, internal tools, etc) and have seen great success

This will more than likely always be the case. That being said, it does make it difficult when presenting to this kind of crowd. Perhaps it’s best when planning our events to segment our presentations into (a) (b) and (c) groups instead of lumping them all together.

At one of my most recent events I had a few folks (ladies) come to me in the lady’s room afterward to tell me “Thanks for talking on a level we could understand. Most of us aren’t up to speed and you kept it simple and very easy to understand.”

HR is rapidly advancing in social technologies but we must remember to share on a level that folks can understand not only in the need for incorporating these tools, the benefits and ROI’s but also share the “Here’s how to do it” as well.

Cause let’s face it – we can pretty much Google stats and the “WHY you need to do Social” – am I right?

Photo Credit: JohnHaydon

Stats for Social Media at Work (Infographic)

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Happy Friday, folks. Hope your week has been spectacular. Since it’s my daughter’s birthday weekend, I thought I would share with you again this Infographic I created on Social Media in the Workplace from last year! Enjoy and have a pleasant weekend.

Social Media; If you can be offended, you will be!

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Whether it’s email, Facebook, Twitter – putting something in writing sometimes can bite you in the rear! It doesn’t have the same affect as if you were talking to that other person – in person.

You can type out a status update and it be completely meant one way and taken in a completely different context and blown out of the water! It happens all the time.

I am probably evil because in knowing this, I sometimes use it to create (on purpose) one to contemplate “Does she mean this in this way, or that?” I ride the edge.

We have to be so careful these days what we post online in our communities as to “not offend” those in our space – whether it’s discussing race, politics, religion or if someone is tall or short. I have offended more than my share of folks in my community and have learned valuable lessons.

Sometimes there will be those who can never be pleased no matter what we share – even if it wasn’t meant for them, they will be offended. They’re soft-skinned.

I think if you’re going to put yourself out on social you need to take everything with a grain of salt. Toughen up! Not everything is about you, your gender, your race, or whether you’re a giant living among small people.

People share all kinds of stuff online from what they just ate to photos of them eating it, talk about their crazy families (okay, maybe I’m the only one that does that), to boasting about their achievements – and I could go on and on.

My point in this post is we are getting way too stressed out and offended about the most idiot stuff.

Perhaps it’s time for you to pick up the book “Don’t sweat the small stuff” once again and give it some thought. Why are you allowing these dumb postings to aggravate you and get you all out of whack?

I think this is on my mind right now because of what we all dealt with during the elections. Folks were cursing their friends, blocking, deleting like it was going out of style – just because they couldn’t agree.

Guess what? You’re never going to agree 100% of what folks share. Get over it! Life is too fragile for this kind of BS.

The great thing about online activity is if you don’t want to hear that person go on and on about whatever – you can block, delete or hide them or their updates.

Now, if we could only do that in person.

Photo Credit: APainfulTruth

What’s your Social Media Drug of Choice?

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The other day I decided to participate in a #TwitterChat that I had been wanting to participate in for awhile now, but never made the time.

Overall, it was great and I made several new online connections but there was one thing I didn’t get.

There were a few folks totally pooh-poohing Facebook for anything other than staying in contact with their family and close friends saying that it just didn’t make sense and they didn’t see any benefit.

Well, I tried to share my love of Facebook to them, but was totally disregarded. Probably because of the fact that it was my first time attending this particular chat. Surely it couldn’t be that I didn’t know what the heck I was talking about, but who knows.

Many still don’t see the value in using Facebook for anything other than sharing pics and status updates with their family and friends. They actually don’t see the use in having a Facebook business page (which, I still have my doubts about and the jury is still out there on that one). But I do get the value of engaging on Facebook with your peers and the possibility of gaining valuable friendships with potential clients.

When I started on this journey of social media, I started of course with Linked In, then Twitter, while starting two blogs. I then of course went to Google+, Pinterest and Instagram, like the rest of ya’s. I started engaging (that’s key) with those whom I wished to connect, those who held influence in my industry, those of my peers and those who created outstanding content.

I then started taking those relationships over to Facebook, connecting with them there (slowly but steadily) and taking those relationships to a whole.other.level. Each platform has its own feel and allows for different strokes for different folks and has its own personality, so to speak.

Facebook appears to be one of those platforms that allow you to share more personal  updates, funny stories, family photos, to create everyday engagement that can’t be done in 140 characters. And it’s like any other platform, it’s not suppose to be about you cramming your wares down someone’s throat, it’s about building valuable connections, whether you sell anything or not.

Since I have taken my circle of trust connections over yonder to Facebook, I’ve created an awesome community that pretty much stays in touch daily, even if it is to hear about someone’s kid going to school and them having a melt down because of it. I can dig that. I admit, I’m a Facebook junkie and I’m on there constantly. Just ask my friends.

And when we all get together IRL (in real life) it’s as if we haven’t missed a beat!

So what’s your social media drug (platform) of choice?

Photo Credit: Let’sNotNSayWeDid

In box Blunders; Linked In and Twitter

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If you all don’t know it by now, I’ll tell you again. I can’t stand getting sales pitches in my Linked In email or Auto DM’s on Twitter. That’s just not cool. I wrote about some dumb things we all do on social media here on these posts –  ”5 Things I Hate About Linked In“, “What NOT to put on your Linked In Profile“, and most recently “The Dumbest Auto Responses on Twitter.“

Just this past week, I received more. Even AFTER I reprimanded someone on the very same thing, in a private message. These two items were in my Linked In inbox:

Is this really what we want? All 800+ connections inboxing us and asking us to “LIKE” their facebook page? I think she needs to find a new Marketing rep. This is just not good business. Never misuse your Linked In to do this sort of thing.  Now, that being said, I think it’s okay to send a request on facebook to your facebook connections asking them to “like” your page. They don’t have to do it, and it’s not very intrusive. What do you think?

Moving right along, here is the next one I received -

First and foremost, when I received a connection request from this guy, I wasn’t wearing my glasses and was excited that “Alan Alda” would be requesting to connect with me. Only to find out later, it wasn’t him at all :) Note to self: Keep your glasses on.

Let’s review this one, shall we? 1. If I took the time to personally send all of my Linked In contacts an email with a link to my blog I wouldn’t have time to write the blog. 2. Really? You thought I would enjoy? No you didn’t, you are self-promoting. Just call it what it is. 3. This is lame. That.Is.All. This is a sure fire way to have folks unfriend and unfollow you, in a Minnesota minute.

Lastly, I guess I will continue to receive Auto DM’s until hell freezes over, so here are a few I received as of late:

I don’t want to know about your free gift. This is bad social media practice.

Okay, I’mma give her a chance to rebut, and hopefully she will rethink her strategy. If not, oh well.

If you just have to use Auto DM’s for your followers, simple is the way to go. And don’t use it as a sales pitch like these folks.  The last one is by far the way to go, if you must do it. These are just my thoughts. What do you think? (Photo Credit: ViewFromTheDolequeue)

The problem with “FREE”

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I’ve been dealing with giving stuff away for FREE for years now and thinking that sometimes, it’s just not a good idea.

Here’s why:

Point #1 – Let’s say you give away a book that you’ve written to someone that’s not even interested in the topic or what you had to say about it. Chances are, they’ll throw it away or stick it in their next yard sale for a nickel.

Point #2 – If you’re hosting an event in your local area and you decide to “GIVE AWAY” all your tickets, people are more than likely going to register and then become a “no show.”

Point #3 – You decide to continue giving your teenager/young adult every new thing that comes along. They never had to work for it, do chores, or make an investment so they may or may not, take care of the darned thing. Maybe it’s tires on their car, and they run the wheels off, cause they didn’t have to pay for them. Things change when they have to start paying for it all.

My point is, if folks don’t make some kind of investment (mostly monetary) then there is no value in it for them. They don’t have anything invested in it, so they don’t have to show up (like they said they would – after you held a spot for them and so graciously agreed to participate), and they can chunk all your hard earned blood, sweat and tears you put into that fabulous book, webinar, or whatever – because they didn’t ask for it and never wanted it to begin with.

Now, that being said, their certainly are times when giving away freebies come in handy and are totally appreciated.

Let’s say you have someone who has loyally read your articles, commented on your posts, been an all around cool guy in your circle of trust, or perhaps are a new subscriber. Having ebooks or short project giveaways can be a great way of getting your message out there to your connections.

Or perhaps, a connection asks to purchase your book and you decide to give them the book instead. They are already willing to support your work, find it interesting, and want to support you in your endeavors. This happened to me recently while at a conference.

I love supporting my friends and connections in their work and one of the ways in which I like to do this is to PURCHASE their shit (no offense by the shit comment). Their shit, is actually – good shit.

It’s cool to invest in the amazing stuff that your friends and contacts are putting out there. We shouldn’t always want FREE stuff. Chances are, if they gave it to you, you’d throw it in the pile of the other free shit given to you and never read.

Support your connections. Buy their shit and pay for their conferences. (Unless you can get in on it as a blogger) :)

The Dumbest Auto-Responses on Twitter

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I’m not a fan of auto-responses for Twitter and here’s why – if your message is something other than “Hey thanks. I appreciate the connection” you just come across sounding like you’re trying to sell me something. I don’t care if you’re using words like “Here’s a free……….(whatever)…”

I have friends in my circles that will totally disagree with me and state their case as in “I have so many followers every day, there’s no way to respond to all of them – so I add a nice, friendly response and it works.” I’ll give them that.

But here are a few that totally prove my point (above) and are the dumbest when you’re trying to engage on social media (IMHO).

  • Thanks for following me. Here’s more about my business and how you can benefit from it http:linktoshit.com
  • I appreciate the follow. Here’s a video I think you’ll like! http:dumbassvideo
  • Thanks for following, much love :) As a thank you gift may I introduce you to this phenomenal opportunity? http:multilevelmarketingnonsense.com
  • Hey! Thanks for the follow. I’m a HUGE fan of yours (with a link to their blog) http:pigsinspace.com
  • Hi,how are you? my names is XXXX and you? I’m from Brazil and you? Hugs
  • Appreciate the kind follow, watch this video on how I made my millions! http:I’mAMulti-BillionareWhoDrivesABentley.net (yeah right)

Okay, I think I proved my point with those alone. (Please tell me you did NOT click those links)

Not too long ago a friend came to me asking how to create an auto-follow response for Twitter and my advice was “Don’t Do it!” She looked at me funny but I went on to explain that social media is about engagement and though I used auto-responses when I first started on Twitter, I learned there is a much better way – and it’s about being human. Granted, you can tailor your DM’s to a more human approach and make it work (maybe).

Instead, I usually advise that you simply look through those contacts who have followed you once a day. Determine whether or not they are someone with whom you can create an online relationship in your area, in your field or someone with whom you are trying to connect – simply send a short thank you if you feel the need. I suppose it’s social courtesy.

But you’ll have a ton of folks following you that really aren’t those with whom you should set your sites. If you want to connect with a simple follow, do it. But don’t feel obligated to send a thank you.

Social engagement is a lot of work. Try saving the time you spend on your platforms engaging with those whom you truly want to build relationships and see them flourish.

I know. You all have your opinion on this subject – Bring it!

Photo Credit: timscullin.com

Have you Googled yourself lately?

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With a record number of 273,067,546 (as of December 2011) internet users in North America alone – means there’s a crap load of information going across the world wide web.

Even if you think that the status update you posted on Facebook of the gang-banger you had when you were in college is not going beyond the walls of FB, you must be living under a rock. I try and tell these things to my daughter and her friends and give them advice about not posting things would perhaps might be detrimental to them at some point in their life, but they think I’m an old lady who doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I suppose I used to think that when my parents or those older than me tried giving me advice when I was their age.

What does your digital footprint say about you or your brand? This could affect you getting a job, getting customers or the best employees at your company.

Social Monitoring Tools

There are so many cool tools out there to help us get an inkling when wondering what’s out there on either us or or brand. Have you tried Googling yourself lately to see what comes up? I know – the thought of that frightens the padooky out of you. Nevertheless, it’s a great thing to do on a regular basis. Or you could just stick your head in the sand.

Social Media Monitoring Tools not only helps you to check what people have to say about you or your brand but they also help you in analyzing the ROI (return on investment), and the steps you need to take to save your reputation. Here are a few awesome tools when searching online for what’s out there in regard to you personally, professionally or your brand:

Social Mention - It allows you to easily track and measure what people are saying about you, your company, a new product, or any topic across the web’s social media landscape in real-time. Receive free daily email alerts of your brand, company, CEO, marketing campaign, or on a developing news story, a competitor, or the latest on Lady Gaga, whatever floats your boat!

Who’s Talkin - Is a social media search tool that allows users to search for conversations surrounding the topics that they care about most and can also help you join in on these conversations about your brand and those already talking.

Steprep – This is more of a tool for businesses and in listening to what people are saying about your business online. Anytime your business is mentioned, anywhere on the web, you’ll hear about it immediately.

Twazzup – Operates a leading real-time news platform to make possible to filter the news out of live internet content. And, I simply love the name. Can’t you hear that drawn out “Twazzuuuuuuup?”

Google Alerts – Hopefully, I don’t have to explain Google’s search engine. Try googling yourself every couple of months just to keep watch! And Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic. Enter the topic you wish to monitor, then click preview to see what your results will look like.

FYI, other folks are Googling you to see what’s up. Why not get in on the action?

What’s good about Community?

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Whether online or off, whether we think we do or not, we are all creatures that need community.

Let’s look at Wikipedia’s definition – “A group of interacting people, living in a space (be it online) that share common interests, values and social cohesion; A group that shares their environment that help one another.”

I know some of you think you don’t need this, but let’s think of it differently – Perhaps, we need you!

This is one reason why I love social media and the way it allows for online community building.

Over the past couple of years, since diving into the whole “social media thingy,” I’ve met tremendous folk whom I never would have met IRL nor would have I remained engaged with on almost a daily basis.

If you are still wondering “What Can Social Media Do For Me?” I challenge you to look at the awesome power it has to produce some fantastic networking and relationships. And perhaps, you have this amazing gift or personality that WE are missing out on, for fear of getting out there.

Community is about sharing and caring. It’s interacting and engaging. And though it crosses boundaries of our professional and personal lives – that’s one of the reasons it creates such close connections.

Back in January, I went through a very difficult time in my personal life. I made one post on Facebook (that made others quiver) that mentioned what I had just experienced. My online community stepped up to the plate.  (Read more here)

Through one of the most difficult of times, I was bombarded with overwhelming comments, emails, messages, and texts from my community. They began to show their support for me, offering their condolences, sharing their personal phone numbers and email address, encouraging words and reaching out to me in a most amazing way.

Community shows that you are in fact, human. And with that come the good, the bad and the ugly. But if you’ve created a community of trust, those things are simply accepted.

Photo Credit: SocialMediaToday

Note:

This post was created for my dear friend Steve Browne, who is hosting Carnival of HR over at his blog Everyday People. Be sure and check out the other HR Blogs on that list. They are from some truly, creative and engaging folk. Thanks Steve, for including me.

Social Media – It ain’t all about YOU!

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Click play below :)

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