Want Social Meida Success? Just be cool.

Someone asked me over the weekend if I could sum up social media success into one sentence. I can sum it up in three words. Just be cool.

I’ve had the privilege of living abroad and meeting many different people in many different cultures. Through all my travels one thing remained consistently true. If you’re cool, most of the time people will be cool to you. If you’re an ass, people will treat you as such.

The same rule applies to your social media success as a business. If your content is a steady stream of sales pitches (not cool) you’re likely to have very little success.

On the other hand, if you engage your audience worthwhile and interesting information (very cool) you’re likely to be very successful.

Want to be successful online? Just be cool.

Lionel Rainey III
3Lions Media

You Cannot Manufacture Social Media Success

If you're talking to a "Social Media Marketer" and you hear the words "Fan Acquisition Campaign" ... Run as fast as you can.

Here's the deal. Social Media success is just like a successful friendship. If its fake it will eventually be exposed. To quote Rob Bass, "It takes two to make a thing go right". You get my point. If its not real, it doesn't last.

Who cares if I can generate 500 Twitter Followers in 2 minutes or provide you with 1,000 Facebook fans overnight. If they aren't real, they aren't going to engage in the conversation or do business with you. Isn't that the point?

Just like in "real life," friendships take time to develop. It's called trust. You can't rush it. Wasn't it a wise man that said, "only fools rush in?"

There's no difference with your Social Media.

Transparency, consistency and the willingness to listen.

Lionel Rainey
3Lions Media

Say Bye-Bye to the Share Button

Bye Bye Share Button - the Like button is taking over.

Facebook has been on a roll lately; After months of updates to it's Like button, they released an update that fundamentally changes the button’s functionality to that of a Share button. Now after hitting the Like button, a full story with a headline, blurb and thumbnail will be posted to your profile wall. You’ll also be given an option to comment on the story link. Previously, only a link to the story would appear in the recent activity, often going unnoticed by users.

Users will now think twice now about clicking "Like" as much more information will be posted on their wall - but for the first time the shareability aspect will be in full effect. Isn't that the purpose?

Facebook has slowly been rolling out updates to its Like button and has stopped developing the Share Button. Facebook spokeswoman Malorie Lucich Mashable that while the company will continue to support the Share button, Like is the “recommended solution moving forward.” However, Lucich today called it a test, saying “We’re always testing new products that incorporate developer feedback as we work to improve the Platform experience, and have no details to share at this time.” It’s unlikely that the change is just a test, however. Typically such tests from Facebook only affect a small number of users, whereas this change affects all Like buttons.

Perhaps the change was necessary. Because it was never made clear to users that the Like button would function differently than the Share button, many never understood what it meant to click Like on a piece of content. Making the result the same as the Share button could build stronger user expectations, ultimately fashioning a better user experience.

Thanks to Vadim Lavrusik for this post.

10 Tips to Tweet Locally

So you’re tweeting away on Twitter about your latest blog…posting links to industry related articles…engaging with people, and so forth. You’ve followed some of your favorite folks, tweeted about your favorite place to eat sushi, and others are now following you. Like the dentist in Baton Rouge and the life coach in Scotland.

What about the users in your own backyard? How do you find geographically closer prospects who may be interested in your offer?

Top Ten ‘Local Tweeting’ Tips:

1. Twitter Search. Type in your city’s name to access a list of Twitter users in your region. The advanced search feature finds peeps up to a 15 mile radius.

2. Do a simple Twitter search for people tweeting about your area using the # (hashtag). Simply type– #your city name– or abbreviation in the search box.

3. Twellow – (Twitter + yellow pages) is exactly what it sounds like — a listing of Twitter users. Access your region by clicking on Twellowhood, then your location on the map…or type in your city and state.

4. Follow Twitter trending topics. On the right side of your Twitter page, choose the closest city to yours, then watch for topics of interest to follow.

5. NearbyTweets and GeoFollow offer constant listings of your local Twitter pals and their tweets. GeoFollow lets you bulk follow.

6. Why not Tweetup? A meet-up (offline) of nearby Twitter friends arranged – you guessed it –via Twitter. How to find these elusive group blind dates? Try Meetup (an event site with a special section for Tweetups), Twtvite (a site like Evite but for Twitter) and by searching tweetup geographically, on Twitter Search.

7. Localtweeps – started as a localizing site utilizing the hashtag, this one allows you to register and allows others to follow you or click on your website. You can search by zip code as well.

8. Look for apps- there are tons out there and more fresh apps are created every day to help you to find people in your area. TwitterLocal, Twinkle and more.

9. Twitaholic (formerly Twitterholic) –Not affiliated with Twitter, but the top twitter users in the country are listed here…and so are those hot shot Tweeters in your town. Just type in your Twitter ID under “your Twitaholic ranking.” Once it comes back, click on the name of your city, next to your stats.

10. Search the lists of your local followers and those that you follow in town. This search is bound to yield some like-minded locals.

Thank you to Chris Tompkins for this post