Today, to celebrate my first post in quite a while, I want to write something fun about social media.
There are already plenty of blog posts about the topic (including some excellent posts on Business2). And, there are already plenty of rhymes. But, until now, there has never been a rhyming social media blog post. (as far as I know)
It is, therefore, my distinct pleasure to introduce to you this world’s first–in its global premiere.
World’s First Rhyming Social Media Blog Post
“Social media, should I use you?”
That is my query.
Tumblr. Twitter. Facebook.
“YES!” is my theory. (1)
On this climb start many.
Many give up.
If I paid you a penny,
would you Tweet me to the top? (2)
They say to study others,
Learn from the barely surviving.
So your tail is well covered,
Put in toe before diving. (3)
You must talk, talk, talk, talk.
It’s 24/7.
Cluetrains don’t stop,
Even if a rest would be heaven. (4)
What’s cheap is expensive,
When you’re paying in blood.
Not to cause apprehension,
Customers can now make your name mud. (5)
Follow the lessons Gary has given.
Go online with compassion,
And up, up, up sales will be driven. (6)
This is really just for fun, and I’m no poet. It does, however, point to some truths. Below, I give a little more information about each verse.
Verse (1)
For 100 years or more, traditional media let businesses broadcast messages in one direction. Social media let us start two-way conversations.
Many people in real estate already understand how this will change their business. For example, I am doing some consulting work with LJ Hooker, and I have been impressed by the excellent social media training they offer their network. I’d be interested to hear what other agencies are doing, as well.
Verse (2)
Lots of people have tried social media marketing. A Burson-Marstellar study of 20 excellent corporate brands found this:
“A large number of companies have dipped a toe in the social media arena without following through. The study revealed a lot of inactive accounts, which could suggest ad-hoc efforts with no clear strategy for online stakeholder engagement.”
Many people who try and then give up blame the medium, and say social media is too immature to be useful. That’s like saying a trumpet is broken because the first 100 people who pick it up suck, as Gary Vaynerchuck wrote in The Thank You Economy.
Luckily for you, you have the world’s first ever rhyming social media blog post and Business2, the world’s best real estate blog, to help you figure it out. Nothing can stop you now!
Verse (3)
It pays to learn from the mistakes of those who have blown it. Take the same precaution with your social media strategy that you would before jumping into a swimming pool: dip your toe in first.
Start small, test the waters, and learn to swim. Then begin to take on bigger challenges.
Verse (4)
Social media look cheap, but they take their payment in blood.
Opening a Twitter account is as easy as checking your email. But, it’s a bit like hiding inside of a refrigerator. It’s easy to get in, but once the door closes, you can’t get back out.
To use social media productively takes a lot of time and dedication. It will probably also require some changes to your business that go beyond adding your Twitter account to your business card.
But, yes. It will be worth it.
Verses (5) and (6)
Word of mouth today has much more power than before social media. Tools like Facebook and Twitter give your customers the ability to say things about your brand persuasively and to a huge audience. Before, it was limited to the people they could conceivably talk to, email or call on the phone in a day.
Overwhelm them with kindness and excellent customer service, and they will become loyal fans and customers. Give them crap service, and they will make your name mud.
The Gary I mention in verse (6) is Gary Vaynerchuck, founder of tv.winelibrary.com and author of the The Thank You Economy. You could write a book about this topic, but he’s much smarter than I and has already done it. It’s the book about social media I have liked best.
For now, I hope you enjoyed this rhyming blog post as a bit of fun.
PS: Some real experts regularly read and contribute to this blog. If you have any social media questions, I’m sure they or I would be happy to respond below in the comments field.