Are you sick of social media?
The shine is off the apple. Even marketers are sick of hearing about how great social media is and how it’s going to change everything for everyone forever. I’m not quite there yet — I still delight in pulling together SmartBrief on Social Media each day — but I can understand how the constant din of the Next Big Thing could be deafening for some folks.
But whether you’re tired of hearing about it or not, it’s becoming clear that social-media marketing isn’t the Next Big Thing anymore. It’s just the thing that everyone does.
Grasping the important of that transition is key to the success of your marketing endeavors over the next year for two reasons:
- If you’re sick of hearing about it, imagine how your customers — who have never waxed poetic about mass-communication tools — must feel. They’re not just going to yawn when you proudly unveil your newest social-media account — they’re going to start rolling their eyes. Whatever novelty factor these platforms held is long gone — except, perhaps, for mobile networks. Yesterday, you needed to give your customers a reason to be curious. Today, you need to find a way to be essential.
- If you’ve figured it out, so has the competition. A lot of businesses, especially smaller companies, have put themselves on the map over the past few years by dominating a space their competitors ignored. You can’t count on that any longer. You don’t just have to compete with your rival’s product; you need to best their social presence, too, if you’re going to maintain your marketing edge.
What other big changes does the ubiquity of social media bring to the discipline? Are you personally sick of hearing about social platforms yet? Is mobile really the exception to the rule?
Image credit, Ingrid W. via Shutterstock
Posted by Heather Sanford on March 2nd, 2010 at 5:03 pm
I am so tired of hearing about all the Social Media platforms. I keep hearing how social media can help with your personal brand, and getting a job and I have not found it to help me at all. I am on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, and I am sick and tired of putting all my efforts into social media, with no results. In addition, there are so many platforms out there that it can become overwhelming.
Posted by Doug on March 2nd, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Here's another thing I hate: "optimism." Oh, and "fun," there's another pain. Wait, what about "joy" — there's something I really hate hearing about. Grumble, grumble.
Seriously, I welcome (not fear) change. I wish all the "tired" people would just go take a long nap. Really long.
Posted by Paula on March 2nd, 2010 at 7:12 pm
There will ALWAYS be an exception to the rule. Technology is changing faster than ever before, and consumers just hop along into it and on to the next thing. Social networks are now part of the cost of doing business. Mobility? Rapidly becoming table stakes. What's next? If I knew that, I'd be making stock picks!
Posted by Stephen Debruyn on March 2nd, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Organizations have begun to figure out how to use the tools, with varying degrees of success. Of course tools come and go. What's more relevant in my mind is how companies are internally adjusting to the new communication dynamics which technology developments have created – the ability to have realtime conversations, not only between corporate employees and stakeholders, but also among stakeholders themselves. Companies that figure out how to tap into this effectively will be the winners in tomorrow's marketplace.
My recent post CONVERSION OPTIMIZATION – A METHODOLOGY WHOSE TIME HAS COME
Posted by Ogg on March 2nd, 2010 at 8:32 pm
That's a trick question, right? You're trying to trick me into admitting I think trying to blend social media with serious work seems like a real time sucker, so you can tell my boss, who is trying to keep up with the kids instead of leading them, so he'll fire me and replace me with a sweet young thing with no judgement but who knows how to tweet? Well, I won't do it! Now excuse me while I get back to my cave drawings.
I think I need a long nap.
Posted by ModernAd Magazine › Is social media marketing just another fad? on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:53 pm
[...] with social media, how could it just be a fad? A recent article by Jesse Stanchak titled “Are you sick of social media?” suggests that social media isn’t the next big thing anymore. It’s simply [...]
Posted by @JacobBabcock on March 3rd, 2010 at 1:41 am
I think it is so hard for people that don't know much about social media to truly grasp the effect it can have on your professional life. Used the right way, it can change your life.
Posted by @TimBaileyGR on March 3rd, 2010 at 2:24 am
Agree – there is a dizzying array of new Social Media technology, it can be confusing and very time consuming. However, Social Media should not be about adopting the latest and greatest cool technology. Whether you are an individual looking for employment or a business looking for new customers the proper use of Social Media is focusing on actions where the desired audience is located and increasing. As Social Media experts, our task is to sift through all the new Social Media opportunities and advise our clients to use the "best and most appropriate" one or two sites that allow our clients to brand themselves properly and build positive relationships with their desired audiences. The results should be focused on improving customer relationships and Growing Revenues.
My recent post Does a limited LinkedIn profile reduce your future job opportunities?
Posted by Gerri Dando on March 3rd, 2010 at 2:25 am
Use it or lose.
Posted by Social Media – Deciphered | S K Prasad on March 2nd, 2010 at 10:02 pm
[...] of the above video yapping about social media, you must read this blog to get back on track – Are you sick of social media? By Jesse [...]
Posted by zach philip on March 3rd, 2010 at 2:14 pm
nice post! was a good read, however all those who feel that they still need to know social media and its tools better, here is a fabulous book http://bit.ly/aQxde8
Posted by MerrittColaizzi on March 3rd, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Hi Heather. I totally hear you on the overwhelm. We've recently created a free service for folks like you who, active job seekers, rising stars looking to get ahead. It's called SmartBrief on Your Career, it's built to save you time and keep you smart, and you can unsubscribe any time if you don't find it to be useful. http://www.smartbrief.com/yourcareer. I hope this helps with your next career move!
Posted by James on September 14th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
I am getting tired of social media. Every person and business are all talking about social media. What the next platform is going to be, what tips and tricks to use, etc… Social media is a powerful tool and can be use for a lot of things but we have to use it in moderation. We can't shove it down people's throat.
My recent post Security Issues on Social Network Websites
Posted by denisehood on November 16th, 2010 at 6:21 am
I learn more and more every day about how to use social media to promote my business. I set many clients up with a social media strategy that works with their entire marketing plan and then promptly neglect to keep up with it. Is there a cure for social media laziness? Probably not. I'll keep trying. Thank you for your insight.