Don't be cocky: Reply, retweet, befriend

Posted on 29. Sep, 2009 by Franz in Cultures

David Wang / @blogjunkie on Twitter

Thank you David W. for sharing this idea.

Updated 12th October, 2009.

I know, you know, we know that in each and every one of us there’s this egoistic character inside us waiting to explode. This egoistic character includes feelings like monetary, fame, acceptance and lustful gains. When used appropriately and moderately, this trait inside each and every one of us can bring a lot of good – Especially to those whose devils are much greater & bigger than of ours.

Communicate on Social Media

The reason why Social Media is so widely used, famous and addictive is because it arouses our egoistic trait (sometimes allowing a lot of vainism), enabling deeper, more personalized messages to be delivered faster and better to our group of friends. Read all you want on social media – Information is available online.

But if you do not come close to the community you’re speaking to and give some thought into befriending locals, how do you expect people to VOUCH for you? That’s why in many cases I don’t think content is king. Communication is. And the telecommunication industry in the US realized this in 2001, only for the Internet community to realize it at 2005.

My question: Why are marketers in Malaysia still talking about content is king in Malaysia and defining Social Media SOOOOOOOOO bloody much when they know the key to SIMPLE FRIENDSHIP does not come without communication?

I’m not afraid to mention names this time – And I believe my criticisms are constructive. Let’s take for example: Facebook Event invitation.

Facebook Event Invitation from YourPartTime.com - Elioe.com

I’ve met Janet & Michael Tan once in Gardens Mid Valley. Quite happy to meet and know them – And even Janet followed up with me on some of the required services, so I gave her a friend of mine’s number and just have some chats. Yet, she remains an acquaintance.

How do you expect me to go for your event when all I know is this – You blast the event, inviting everyone in your friend’s list or probably a friend’s group list. It’s not personalized. It’s not a friend request. It’s not something I can vouch for. It’s not something I’d want to go. I’d probably ONLY go because you’re my friend.

See, this is what I mean. A lot of English-speaking KLians today have a frickin’ problem – A problem which many Westerners already have a long time ago. We tend to secure friendship much closer to than business, trust friends more than brands and listen more to authoritative figures than strangers.

So in this case, is content really king?

I don’t know if your event is GOOD, EXCELLENT, SUPERB or horrible; but what I know is that you’ve not given me enough reasons to even reply you to a point, albeit goto the event. This ‘new age marketing’ event may have great speakers and good content – But I don’t know! To speak in marketing terms, your actions already make you look bad on the marketing part – Now you want to let people know about it? No offence, really.

Content is not always king – But in this 2.0 world, communication is king. Just look at Twitter.

Franz Narcis's Twitter: Too many links above the fold in 1 page.

In THIS page alone, there are over 40 links. Many of them are CONTENT. No, I should say ALL of them are content. Where is the communication? In most cases, texts that have no links on it. In most cases, Reply-Tos’ and addressing others via the Alias character (@).

Marketers, if you talk 2.0, then think 2.0

The basic rule for business that has been going on since the Mesolithic periods until Parameswara (and gang), all the way till today – Relationship matters. Build relationships with people, and you’re paving your way to great success. Be nice to people, and karma happens. Help someone out and you’ll be helped in kind. Love someone and someone will love you back.

SIMPLE relationship rules – 2.0 is just using concepts like this interpreted in a different way, used by modern tools. There are no horses or cavalries (at least not in Malaysia =D) carrying messages across continents and states anymore.

Think 2.0. Because the key to addressing social media to the public isn’t about how great you are in what you do or how ‘best’ you or other people juggle fireballs. It’s about each and every individual in this world. It’s about 15 billion + people in this world, 28 million + people in Malaysia.

Don’t go around town preaching the good news of Social Media if you don’t fully understand what it really means. Don’t go telling people “It’s about you” when all you do is spam people with loads of invitations, contents, tags, tweets, emails and all those nonsense for the good of your own business. When people know, respect, understand and love you for who you are: They will know what to do. And if they are your friends, they will support you.

A lot of people don’t give a rat’s ass

Database acquisition is one thing – Knowing how to use them is another. And if you bring your brand to be a cocky, one-sided brand: Remember very well that people will not be appreciative of it. Even if they don’t say it and you may not be able to track it even on Google Alerts, bear in mind that there’s something called the Intellectual Property value. And that includes brands and/or people.

So use them wisely. Treat us as your friends. Give us some attention. Take some time to know us. Don’t expect us to approach you first. Stand up and be a proper businessman. Stand up and be a proper marketer.

Tags: Communication 2.0, Media 2.0, Social 2.0, Social Media