An easy mistake for businesses to make online in blogs and other social media is that they often talk like a business. While I don’t fault them for that specifically, it’s not the type of communication recommended when conversing online.
Online, people talk as people, about issues, opinions, gossip, each other, and as a business, your job is to do the same. When on Twitter do as the Tweeters do.
I know.
How is entirely another matter. A few tips:
1. Remember how word of mouth spreads. From person to person. In a meeting, someone mentions they saw the new Harry Potter movie, and someone else determines to go see it. Someone else might mention where they bought their new car, and someone decides to go look at cars there. If you’re a business, attempting to “advertise” on social media is tricky. Why not recommend other businesses you trust before you start to sell something on your own? Why not try talking to people?
2. Remember how people view advertising. As an interruption, as a nuisance, as something that is stupid, time-wasting, irritating, and obnoxious. Is the Tweet you’re about to send out likely to be viewed as either of those above, or are you talking to people?
You may view talking to people as a waste of time, but really you’re not. You’re interacting and communicating. Not every single conversation you have must be about business, right?
Now, go talk to the people!
