Comments on: Social media outreach is not a tool

By: Społeczne media to nie “narzędzia” | *mitu - marketing interaktywny. technologie. użytkownicy.

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:43:54 +0000

[...] Paul przestrzega na swoim blogu przed traktowaniem społecznych mediów jako “narzędzi” . [...]

By: Friday Frivolity - Twitter Frenzy « Luke Armour - Digital Observations, Commentary, Frivolity

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:32:10 +0000

[...] a lot of people, that’s who. While cool tools like Twitter are great instruments (hat tip, Shannon Paul) with a lot of fantastic uses, it’s good to remember that, despite the fact that your [...]

By: Home Is Where The Mouse Is… Maybe | Waxing UnLyrical

Home Is Where The Mouse Is… Maybe | Waxing UnLyrical — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:45:27 +0000

[...] junkie, or a fan of the countless online mechanisms that, for want of a better term, we call social media tools; and you are perfectly within your rights to remain [...]

By: Joni Hubred-Golden

Joni Hubred-Golden — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:07:56 +0000

And my web site is http://minewmedia.wordpress.com I left out an “i”.

Good grief.

By: Joni Hubred-Golden

Joni Hubred-Golden — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:05:35 +0000

I love social media, but the reaction I hear most often when I talk about it is: What’s the point? I think the disdain is about just this issue: the difference between broadcasting every minute detail of one’s life and sharing information with a purpose.

Beth Harte, the quote at the end of your comment tied this all up for me. The success of social media, like everything else in life, depends on whether we’re acting or reacting, giving or taking. Old school press releases have always worked the same way: You’ll have more success pitching a meaningful story that addresses a current issue or problem, than slinging a bucket of fluff and hoping for the best.

If all you do with social media is push your “message”, nobody’s going to listen. Create an interacting community around solid information, deep networking and provocative ideas, now there, you’ve got something.

By: Anon.

Anon. — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:01:29 +0000

Don’t kid yourselves kids. Social media is nothing more than than conversation in the town square, but spread across a greater distance. Look to G. Livingston’s answer above, and read all the old books you can get your hands on. The human condition doesn’t change because of forum, electronic or not.

By: Kathryn/kathrynhallpublicist.com

Kathryn/kathrynhallpublicist.com — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:53:22 +0000

This is timely. [Oh, I love how big your comments section is! Nice!] As a publicist (30 yrs!) I just had a chat with another friend and colleague of mine this very morning about Twitter and social media in general, sharing my excitement that Twitter provided the opportunity to erase some of the formalities we were accustomed to in traditional pr exchanges, HUMANIZING the experience. “You take from an experience what you bring to an experience.” And I do see that some people are bringing more formal agendas to their Tweets and some really are opting for Being Real, bringing more personal, more honest selves to the process. I have no judgment about these two approaches. They both have value. But I largely suspect those who have the most to gain are those willing to (with integrity and consideration) bring their full selves to the table, enabling much more authentic relationships to unfold where there is reciprocity.
It’s an exciting time and I’m glad I’m here to be part of it! LOVE it, actually! Thanks for contributing to the conversation so expertly.

By: Beth Harte

Beth Harte — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:07:07 +0000

“Monkeys can use tools, but it takes an artist to be able to appreciate the subtle nuance of bringing humanity into our communication to encourage the growth of real relationships without the luxury of a face-to-face introduction.”

Love this statement Shannon. To me, the tools are things like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn. And they can go away in a blink of an eye. The artist knows this and what they embrace isn’t the tool(s) itself, but process and implementation of any tool to make the final piece (in this case, I think, you mean conversation).

@GeoffLivingston and I had a similar conversation around the term ‘social media marketing’ (a term that I am not fond of). His comment here sums it up best:

“The particulars of how to use those tools the right way — i.e. talking at people versus having conversations with them — is the real issue that your post addresses.”

By: Avoiding The Dark Side Of Social Media | davefleet.com

Avoiding The Dark Side Of Social Media | davefleet.com — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:01:21 +0000

[...] you look at social media as a collective group of instruments, the exciting part is that it’s, well, social. The discussion; the interaction; the dialogue [...]

By: Donna Vincent Roa

Donna Vincent Roa — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:34:19 +0000

In practice and theory, social media simply represent new channels for communication.

Labeling social media “tools” and “instruments” do not appropriate describe the interaction or the potential interaction for two-way communication.

When we call these new channels of communication tools or instruments, it seems to give power of messaging to the sender. I wield the instrument. I have the power.

Social media allows two way communication and gives both parties equal chance to communicate. Both parties have power. The sender-receiver relationship is more balanced.

As business communicators we want and benefit from participation…two-way communication. Honoring and respecting the relationship is paramount.