First let me say social media networks like Twitter and Facebook are a must use marketing tool for most businesses. What I mean by social media Kool-Aid is the common pattern for new social media users. I typically see two types of common patterns or Kool-Aid drinkers out of the business community when applying social media.
The Social Media Kool-Aid Guzzler: For many businesses after taking their first step (sip of the Kool-Aid) in social media they tend to immediately jump all in or start guzzling. Businesses try to drink the entire pitcher of Kool-Aid in one sitting. They set up profiles on every possible social media network barely stopping to take a breath and not even considering how they will keep up with all these profiles. Social media strategy is out the door but they are sure all these profiles will bring them business. Eventually these businesses decide the Kool-Aid doesn’t taste all that great. It could be within a few weeks or a few months but all the social media activity stops and these businesses will now tell you “I tried that social media thing and it does not work”.
The Social Media Kool-Aid Big Gulpers: Have you seen these before? The 44 oz, 64oz, wait that’s not big enough the 1 gallon jug people carry around with a big straw hanging out? Picture this jug full of Social Media Kool-Aid. These Kool-Aid Gulpers are social media super users. They are similar to the Guzzlers typically not having a social media strategy but don’t seem to quit. They are constantly drinking, updating too many profiles and are the types of users you always see iPhone or Droid phone in hand. In the middle of a meeting, party, or conversation these users are trying to update Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. They may be taking pictures and uploading to Flickr or even shooting video and trying to get it up on YouTube on the spot.
If you are one of these two users how can you possibly be losing business? You are doing everything right… right?
For the Guzzlers they lose business by spending so much time learning and applying social media as fast as they can and then just let it all go. A lot of businesses think they need to do social media and think they can do it themselves. Business owners and executives step away from their primary roles and try to become social media experts. By doing this their business actually goes down and then a few months later they stop using social media anyway. All that time and effort goes to waste.
For the Gulpers they don’t realize they are alienating the people around them. These could be prospects or customers who don’t understand why you have your phone out and in hand. The perception is you don’t care about the meeting or conversation which creates a feeling of indifference. This indifference can grow to the point of losing long standing customers or prospects that are ready to buy.
The moral of the social media Kool-Aid story is to be aware of what you can become. You truly do not want to be a Guzzler or a Gulper in social media. If you are a business wanting to get started in social media ask for help. Seek out social media marketing firms within your network and find out how they work. Create a social media strategy and implement it over time. Social media works for all types of business but you must have a strategy and plan.
If you want to learn how you can work with Square Martini Media on your social media strategy please visit or contact us page and use the form, email, or call us today.
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