Start using Social Media to Connect, Not Inspect!
With all the emphasis on Social Media (SM), it’s no wonder people can virtually spend hours shopping at the largest mall in the world (the net) either looking for lives long gone or new paths to venture. And most do it, without the intent on connecting at all (or at least that’s been my experience). Let’s look at the 5 major reasons people secretly inspect the social media profiles of others:
#1 Comparison – Let’s face it, the Green Eyed Monster is certainly working overtime these days. It’s easier now than ever to see what the other guy (or girl) is doing, and well, make comparisons to…. yourself. For instance, my about.me account netted over 1000 hits since going live in late August 2013. Yet I’ve connected with less than 4% of those individuals! Things that make you go “um”!
#2 Curiosity – Nosetta! That’s the name I give my kids when they’re delving into things beyond their pay grade (which is zero). And , means just what it implies. People check up on other people to be, well…..nosey. Not necessarily, because they want to connect but because they’re…. peeking out of the window. It satisfies one curiosity or another. Take it as a compliment!
UPDATE: The Precursor to the revival of this Post ~ Would You Please Follow Me? – Flipagram
#3 To Take Stock of their own SM Profiles – The greatest compliment that one could ever pay you is that of imitation. Peruse other SM accounts, especially those with large followings. Take a look at what they’re doing differently to see what you can do to improve your interaction. This is particularly true if you’re in business and your ability to draw new customers is largely based how effective you are at (social) networking. The best way to learn is by doing. I change my profiles often and particularly when I make a change in direction. So you’ll have to keep checking, if you want to keep up with me.
#4 Keep tabs on old friends – While I’ve added several new friends to 1 or more of my SM accounts, this may not have been the original intent for the re-connection. SM sites like LinkenIn make it easy to block unwanted views so that one must make a connection to get a peek!
#5 ‘Strengthen’ Family Ties – In a large family, it’s often very difficult to remain connected. Consider using Social media to stay in touch, particularly with extended family members. It’s also an easy way to send holiday well wishes. Now, having said that, whether or not the interaction is reciprocated depends entirely on your family’s level of engagement. Nothing ventured is nothing gained.
An article in the Guardian predicts that by the year 2024, SM will no longer be the new kid on the block. It will be the block! And in fact, major charities will use SM to raise money for causes that move the world forward! As we celebrate 10 years of Facebook (Happy Birthday), say what you want! There’s plenty of bandwidth here.
Have you recently reconnected with old friends from high school as a result of a SM prowl? Or satisfied your insatiable desire for, “what’s he doing now”? Here’s a healthy SM tip: Boost your connections ~ To Connect with Impact, Reciprocate after you initiate! I recently connected with a girlfriend who was in my wedding through social media. Funny thing is, it’s like we never disconnected! True relationships last even after significant time off!
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