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True confessions: Social media, like running, is something I avoid (Part 2)
Posted on Aug 15, 2012 by J C Kreidel, Managing Director of Business Development | Subscribe to this RSS feed |
Editor’s Note: The second installment of JC’s social media rant and how it’s too much like working out.
When last I opened my heart to you confiding my dark secrets about my social media inadequacies, I’d just gotten done talking about focusing on the positive trends, and not just hard numbers. Being positive in and of itself is a hard thing to keep going, particularly when faced with my next point:
This is so boooooorrrring.
We’ve all been there, furiously throwing out likes, re-tweets +Ks and Google Pluses to the universe with nothing to show for it. I liken it to doing walking slow laps around the track. Everyday, at the same time, and the same pace. Who wouldn’t want to just stay home and skip it if drudgery is all that’s waiting for you?
“Just ‘cuz” is no reason to work out, no reason to waste time doing social media. While you need a plan, you also need the flexibility to try new things. Give yourself the permission to change up that routine. That might mean blogging one day, and putting the emphasis on tweeting the next. Might also mean throwing in a mix of tweets about your status quo vice mindlessly re-tweeting everything you see on CNN. Commenting on other people’s social media regime is also a good boredom buster – just like working out with a friend, social media is so much more fun, when it’s, you know, social.
I can’t tweet that … how will it look?
Despite countless women telling me, “You must do Zumba. Oh my goodness, Zumba saved my life,” I resist. I’ve seen those commercials. I don’t care if Zumba is the only thing between me and the licensing rights to world peace, I ain’t doing it. I haven’t even bothered to break the seal on an Xbox version of Zumba my kids gave me for Christmas. The reason is simple: someone might see me. And they might laugh their … heck with my employment agreement … they may laugh their ass off at me.
I sometimes have the same issue with social media. While I’ve been on Facebook for a while now, and become accustomed to Twitter, and stepping a pinky toe into Google+ it’s blogging that paralyzes me. Yes, blogging, as in this thing I’m most of the way through here. Blogging is my social media Zumba.
Having an opinion, and putting it out there for the world to read and re-read forever, grips me with the same resistance I have for shaking my moneymaker to a Latin rhythm. But, as many a country singer would croon to you, dance like no one’s watching. Go ahead and blog like you don’t care either. Even though it’s a larger time investment (see point 1), the time invested can pay off in big ways and I’m not just talking Klout points. Even the most outlandish, offbeat blog can lead to credibility, exposure and dare I even say it, an impact on your bottom (line).
You can’t take a wishy-washy approach to it – you have to be all in. You’re either working on your health, or you’re not. You’re either working on your social media profile, or you’re not. But one caveat I’d like to emphasize in closing – what is all in to you, does not mean all in to another. Stop comparing yourself to the guy two stations over at the gym (you KNOW he’s there six hours each day to look that way, right?). And don’t stalk him tweet for tweet. You have to find your pace and embrace it.
How about you – got any workout inspired social media tips to share? I could go on and on about my elliptical machine insights, but I have a Klout score and abs to work on. Tell me about yours …
JC Kreidel is the managing director of business development for Vox Optima and fledgling social media geek. A former Navy journalist, JC spends most of her time drumming up business, overseeing proposals, directing our movers and shakers, and when she’s not doing that supporting our clients with her pearls of prose. She’d love to hear from you, so connect up with her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or reach out through email.
Tagged: social media, internet content, management, time management, blogging
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