Avoiding Social Media Overload: A KISS, 3 Step Guide to Getting Started

Question #2:

 

The second most common response I get from business people to the concept of social media is one of “overload.”  Terms and sites are swirling in their heads. It is hard to know where to start – and why you would really want to.

 

The following is a “Keep It Simple 3-Step Guide to Getting Started.”

 

You can do this in less than 5 minutes.

 

Step 1:

Consider a business objective. Pick one that you like from the list below, or come up with one of your own.

 

Examples:

 

“I want to leverage the expertise I have to establish more interactions with prospects and customers and help my company accelerate time-to-revenue.”

 

“I want to be even better at what I do.”

 

“I want to have a Plan B, just in case I get laid off.”

 

“I want to change careers.”

Step 2:

Match the most popular social media tools to your business objective.  

Do a Google search or ask around what the top social network tools are for your business objective.

 

To make it easy, pick from one of the following options:

 

If your objective relates to expanding your network – providing yourself a cushion of contacts in case you lose your job, join LinkedIn.

 

If your objective relates to your current, or desired professional area of expertise, and you’d like to start getting to know industry thought leaders and prospects/customers in this space, join Twitter. 

Step 3:

Find a 20-something, or someone else who you know that talks about social media and ask them for a couple of minutes of their time to show you a few tips on the network you just joined (keep them focused; they might get excited and scare you away!). 

OR

 

Do a Google search on “How to Use Twitter,” “How to Use Twitter Search,” and/or “How to Use LinkedIn.”  The search results might be a bit dated given the pace of change and discovery here – but they’re likely good enough for now.

That should get you going!  Now all you have to do is spend just a bit of time on one of the networks and see what it can do for you. The more you give, the more you’ll get. Ask along the way – people like to be very helpful in “social media world.”  If you don’t like it, quit!

 

Recap: 

Step 1: Pick an objective.

Step 2: Pick a social network that fits your objective.

Step 3: Ask a human or ask Google how to use that tool.

 

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Was this KISS-enough?

Did it pass the overwhelm screen?