Social Media Success: What It Really Takes to be “Likeable”

Posted by Pam on Mar 31, 2012 in Career Development | 1 comment

You’ve probably heard CNN’s Anderson Cooper say this often: Friend us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter and Circle us on Google +.

Dude, can’t I just watch you on TV?

It’s an interesting time we live in. The game has changed because of the internet, specifically, because of social media.

In one minute, there are 6 million people updating their Facebook status, 2 million are searching Google, more than 100,000 new Tweets and millions are watching Youtube or Hulu. Plus there are apps being downloaded every second and books searched, bought and reviewed on Amazon. (Oh, course there are videos and share buttons over there too!)

Then there are blogs like this and millions more that are updated, read, commented on (hint, hint) and shared on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Google + and now Pinterest.

OMG! How can anyone get heard? Is everyone just talking – and no one listening to YOU?

Do you hear crickets on your Facebook page?

So pick your beast. What works for you?  What does your digital lifestyle look like?

What is your mission, motive and M.O. in the Social Media landscape, anyway?

As a professional in marketing communications and coaching clients about PR, I have some rules that I share with them -and some specific strategies and tactics. The main thing I share is to BLOG! The blog is really the hub of your content – which is why anyone would even pay attention to you in the first place.  The blog is your REAL ESTATE online. It is your home.

Social media is like the cocktail party – where you network.

But the blog is where you invite people over and have them hang out to really get to know you, like you and trust you.

Bottom line: Social media success is about relationships.

Here are three friends of mine who have great “success” on Facebook. Now, by success, I’m talking TRACTION. They are being heard.

They have tons of “likes” and their posts are often shared – which multiplies their voice, message and ideas.

These ladies got Social Media Swag : Karen Dumas, Gail Perry-Mason and Monica Morgan.

Why do they stand out, get noticed and a lot “likes”?

Here’s five reasons:

1. They are interesting. Now this is key if you want to get someone’s attention – and keep their attention. YOU have to have something remarkable to say. You have to be bold about your opinions. You have to be Black or White, no gray areas. Gray is boring.  They are not rude – they are just honest, straight forward and blunt. People like that. They are quick and to the point.  Because they think first and meditate on things first, their status updates on Facebook make people THINK.

2. They are engaging. They just aren’t having monologues – they are having dialogs. They are posting to thousands but making you feel like they are talking to only you. That is a gift. They know how to be real, open and genuine.  Gail has been known to tell you she is having a bad day and had a “moment” at work and Monica is one that share her heart about stuff that she loves or stuff that pisses her off! Either way, it’s them -and they comment back on comments and try to spur conversation. They are grateful…and they go out of their way to “like” other people’s posts. (This is a biggy).  The Golden Rule applies big time in social media, especially on Facebook. (CLICK THE PHOTO TO MAKE BIGGER: Notice how Monica posts on other folks profiles “just thinking of you”). That’s why she gets at least 30 “likes” up to hundreds of “likes” on her status updates.

 

3. They are topical. All the ladies know how to keep current. They watch the news and stay on point. When the world is talking about gas prices or something political or a disaster – they are expressing their thoughts and opinions.  Never do you see them in a bubble and not connected to what is going on in their city, state or country or even world.  Yes, they do have moments when it is all about what is going on in their world – but for the most part – they are talking about stuff that others want to talk about. That’s what makes good conversation anyway, right?

4. They are visual. Now this is easier for Monica than Karen and Gail – because Monica is an award winning photojournalist. So she can post up pictures from her last photo shoot of some celebrities and it goes viral. But they all know how to create EYE CANDY – even if it is just changing their profile picture or cover.   Often they will post buttons of sayings just to entertain their readers. They just have cool stuff to show and share.

5. They really care. This is Gail Perry-Mason. She is a VP  in the financial industry and you would think that all she cares about is money. NOT! Gail has the biggest heart. She cares about people, kids, babies, elders – she doesn’t just talk it, she walks it.  Her conversations, just like Karen and Monica, talk about how we can improve the lives of others. That’s what makes them “likeable.” Often, all three ladies will update statuses with something about a community award they’ve won or how excited they are to mentor or speak to a group of young people. (I just pulled this below from Gail just a couple of minutes after her posting that she was speaking at the Detroit Yacth Club). She is true to herself…and her FB.

Social media does not have to take a lot of time in order to be effective.

Most times Karen, Monica and Gail are updating from their mobile phones. But, because their digital lifestyle has SWAG they have gained a large network (all have maxed out at 5,000 friends on Facebook) of people who are loyal to them.  They get a lot of LIKES too…on every post.

Why is this important? Because when you have good relationships and a large network – you can monetize it. You now have open ears and earned the trust of an audience that would probably do business with you.

You have created a brand. You now have “mind share” – and when people think of you – whether they want a speaker, a photographer, financials services – who do you think they are going to call?

The person that they know, like and trust – a person they have come to know through social media.

Simple!

Pam Perry, a PR Coach & social media strategist, is the co-founder of Perry + Williamson. Friend her on Facebook, Follow her on Twitter and Circle her on Google + and and Pin her on Pinterest!  Whew!

What are YOUR FAVORITE social media channels or a person you know who has social media swagger? Leave a comment~ love comments!