Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Web 2.0 isn't about you
Why are you on Twitter? Why did you create a Facebook profile? Is your Web 2.0 goal to build your personal brand? If you are participating on Twitter and other Web 2.0 platforms based solely to advance your own individual goals, then you have the wrong mindset. Don’t get me wrong, advancing yourself professionally is important and you should always be trying to build your own brand. What I am saying, though, is that if you are engaging in Web 2.0 for that reason alone, you are missing the purpose and benefit of Web 2.0.
In my opinion, your purpose with online media should be focused on building a community and engaging with others. It should be about listening first and talking second. From a goal standpoint, this should be your primary mission.
Based on this belief, I believe celebrities are going about Twitter with the wrong approach. Promoting one’s movie should be a tactic, not the goal or purpose. Utilizing Facebook to sell an album is a great marketing strategy for artists, but it shouldn’t be the reason behind they implement Web 2.0.
The same can be said for the “regular Joe” on Twitter. The key to success is by being able to add something of value. Ask yourself, “what am I bringing to the conversation?” Are you bringing anything valuable and useful or are you simply trying to promote yourself and push your agenda?
Let’s be honest, PR folks like the hear themselves talk. There’s nothing wrong with that. We should be vocal people. We should have opinions. We should strive for improvement. But are you that kid in class who’s simply raising his or her hand and participating just to make it be known that you're present? Speaking up more frequently isn’t necessarily going to be the determining factor whether you get an ‘A’ or a ‘B’ with Twitter.
Remember folks, if you engage and build properly, then the rest will come. As much as it may hurt, this time, it's not about you.
In my opinion, your purpose with online media should be focused on building a community and engaging with others. It should be about listening first and talking second. From a goal standpoint, this should be your primary mission.
Based on this belief, I believe celebrities are going about Twitter with the wrong approach. Promoting one’s movie should be a tactic, not the goal or purpose. Utilizing Facebook to sell an album is a great marketing strategy for artists, but it shouldn’t be the reason behind they implement Web 2.0.
The same can be said for the “regular Joe” on Twitter. The key to success is by being able to add something of value. Ask yourself, “what am I bringing to the conversation?” Are you bringing anything valuable and useful or are you simply trying to promote yourself and push your agenda?
Let’s be honest, PR folks like the hear themselves talk. There’s nothing wrong with that. We should be vocal people. We should have opinions. We should strive for improvement. But are you that kid in class who’s simply raising his or her hand and participating just to make it be known that you're present? Speaking up more frequently isn’t necessarily going to be the determining factor whether you get an ‘A’ or a ‘B’ with Twitter.
Remember folks, if you engage and build properly, then the rest will come. As much as it may hurt, this time, it's not about you.
Labels: Branding, Personal Branding, Twitter
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
Post a Comment