Know-How Exchange : MProfs PRO Seminar Q&A

Hi there,

Great presentation! Thanks very much.

This was being discussed in the chat area during the webinar... What do you think about cross posting events, news items, comments, etc. in multiple platforms (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) ?

I have seen those who use tools to do this automatically. I think this is not the best approach on a regular basis because of the different terminology and culture in different environments (i.e. hashtags in Twitter, etc.)

I can understand that sometimes this is necessary (lack of resources, time crunch, etc.) but on the whole I try to avoid this. Just like you word things differently for TV, radio, print, shouldn't your postings be appropriate for the type of platform they are being posted in?

Thanks!
Annalisa

Dear Valerie,

As a non Pro member and sometime contributor to the KHE I can't comment on the seminar because I haven't heard it. But on the
subject of content creation I'll say this: invest time and effort
to make it both interesting and relevant to your target audience.

The cardinal sin in marketing is not ignorance (although it's a close second). No, the BIGGEST screw-up you can commit in marketing anywhere, let alone online is being dull.

Thou shalt not be dull! Or uninspiring. Or anything else that makes people click away from your site. Make yourself stand out.

If you can't write, find someone that can.

If you're useless in front of a video camera, find someone that shines.

If your voice sounds like a trumpet-playing parrot being strangled under water, find someone with a decent voice.

Just my humble two cents' worth.

Gary Bloomer
The Direct Response Marketing Guy™
Wilmington, DE, USA

Hi, all. I'm adding my two cents here while Kristina is out of the office for a few weeks.

@annalisa: I think you answered your own question, when you say, "...on the whole I try to avoid this. Just like you word things differently for TV, radio, print, shouldn't your postings be appropriate for the type of platform they are being posted in?"

In short: YES! I'm not a fan of auto-posting or (for that matter) cross-posting the same content everywhere, on each and every platform. It may be efficient, but I think it runs counter to the spirit of social tools and platforms like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and the like, which are inherently conversational mediums, and not broadcast tools. It's better to tailor your messages for each one -- at least, as a general approach.

If resources are an issue (you just don't have time to tailor your messages for each, or the staff to handle it), then a company needs to focus their efforts to concentrate on where their customers are. For example, you might find that, as a B2B service company, you connect comfortably with a sizable number of your clients (or would-be customers) on LinkedIn. So concentrate your effort there, and do it really, really well.

You don't have to be everywhere, but you need to be somewhere in the social sphere. And generally, it's better to focus your attention -- based on available resources, customer preferences, budget, and (frankly) your own temperament and personality -- rather than engage badly, but cast a wider net.

Thanks for chiming in!

Hi All,

Online is a powerful medium. Take this thread for example, we have already had opinions valued at 4 cents, and proclamations of love!

Further to Ann's point (no, I am not agreeing simply to share in the love) regarding the conversational nature of social media, I think it is of the utmost importance to provide value (unique value) through each of the outlets.

There is such a call for engagement in the web 2.0 environment, follow me on twitter, become a fan on Facebook, join me on Linkedin, Digg Me, Tweet Me, Email me etc, that as the "callers" we owe it to those we are seeking engagement from, to deliver something in return. If all roads lead to Rome, why ask them to travel them all?

If we are going on volume, I think that is my 1 cents worth (but I am on Euros at the moment, so please factor that in :) ).

Kind regards,

Ryan

Ryan Rutan
Branding Brainiac