Great post! Any social media strategy needs to "funnel" folks off social media occasionally to something you're promoting/selling/etc - that's why I think #9 is so important.
12 Most Powerhouse Habits of Social Media Pros
What’s the secret sauce of social media? Well, it’s not just one recipe. After all, far too many apps, sites and tools exist for there to be a definitive source of success on social media. But it seems the pros share some common habits.
They all do these 12 things:
1. Help
It doesn’t matter whether they have 1,000 followers or 100,000, social media pros often help others. If it could be harnessed, the karma flying around the Twittersphere (and on G+ and Pinterest and so on) might just be sufficient to advance all humanity closer to world peace.
2. Share fairly
The pros never steal. They don’t have to because they’ve figured out that it’s not actually content that’s king. It is the creators of content that rule the kingdom. Social media stars create amazing content. And they also share content liberally, crediting generously as they press the words: publish, pin or post.
3. Thank
The smoothest social media folks are also among the kindest. Just check out the Twitter streams of those with hordes of followers eager to sop up the social savvy. Tweets from the pros often contain thanks and kind words for others.
4. Remember
To have an effective social presence, you need to be mindful of others. Social media pros remember what it was like not to know that RT stood for ReTweet (or to not know what retweet meant!) I think it is, in part, their own memory of feeling like a newbie that keeps the social media pros so generous with their tips and advice.
5. Don’t patronize
The pros don’t talk down to their audience. And they also aren’t afraid to admit if they don’t know something and need to double check before answering. I’ve listened to more than one webinar where presenters had to give a best guess to a question. Being so comfortable with their competence that they exude authenticity only underscores their social media chops.
6. Follow
In many, if not most cases, they follow back.
7. Have conversations
They have a lovely way with the back and forth, but also know when to take it offline or move to direct messages. Social media is simply not one-way or performance art. Not when done well, anyway.
8. Make time for social media
They also know how hollow this comment is: “I don’t have time for social media.” So many tools help with scheduling posts, keeping track of mentions and chats or monitoring various aspects of social presence that makes this excuse just that — an excuse. Social media pros find ways to find time.
9. Blog
It’s nigh impossible to be effective with, on and around social media without blogging. This is a vital way to stay engaged with your audience and to maintain and build a social presence. Pros blog. Period.
10. Are present
Sure, everyone needs to take some time off and seek downtime. Social media mavens are no exception. But generally, the pros are present. They ask, respond, reach out and chat with many others. That’s one of the ways they hone their skills. They’re there, doing it. They don’t fake it.
11. Show their personality
Personality draws followers. It’s what lures readers to blogs, viewers to webinars and eyeballs to shared content. The best on the web all have a personality that pops.
12. Can laugh at themselves
We’re all learning on social media. So much is new that it’s impossible to have mastered everything. But the most effective social media types keep a sense of humor about it all. They can, and do, laugh at the funny things that crop up so often online. They don’t take themselves too seriously. That’s one of the things that make them so effective, and so fun to follow.
This list avoided any social media rules, such as having a detailed editorial calendar or using specific sites or tools. Those guidelines are great. But I think these are the attributes that set apart the social pros from the rest of us.
What do you think?
Featured image courtesy of via Creative Commons and License
Some rights reserved by laszlo-photo.
Becky Gaylord
Becky worked as a reporter for more than 15 years in Washington, D.C.; Sydney, Australia; and Cleveland, Ohio for major publications including the New York Times, Salon.com, Business Week, the Wall Street Journal, and was Associate Editor of the Plain Dealer's Editorial Page before she launched the consulting practice, Gaylord LLC. The company helps clients improve their external relations and communication and increase their influence and impact. Becky blogs about that (a few other things) at Framing What Works.
66 comments
Wonderful post Becky. As a social media specialist - the motivator for me is the joy in helping others embrace social media as a communication channel, make new friends, and pay it forward ALWAYS"
Good post. You have very well explained the characteristics a social media pro should have. Thanks for sharing. The pros bring out genuine and quality information and share it with others. They are very responsive to their followers and keep a track of them. Being polite is very important and the two words “thank you” can do a lot of difference. They actually don’t sound to be over promotional and boasting about themselves.
@feliciacorrine Thank you, Felicia, for your comments and compliment -- being an expert and being gracious are definitely not mutually exclusive, in my book, either!
Thanks for sharing @publicityguru "12 Habits of Top Social Pros" - I think #9 gets overlooked nowadays.
RT @danijellap: RT @PublicityGuru 12 Successful Habits of Top Social Media Pros http://t.co/jr7F5LlO
Lovely - QT @PublicityGuru: 12 Successful Habits of Top Social Media Pros http://t.co/Pj7nAdxy
@shadesofsolveig thanks for all the retweets Solveig, looks like you're scrolling through the past few days and catching up huh? :)
@BeckyGaylord absolutely, it was a very educational post. I hope others found it as interesting as I did. Nice work!
Thanks for this post Becky! I am a hospital CEO, just learning the ropes in this brave new world of social media, and your tips really resonated with me. In an era of increasing public expectation for tranparency, accountabilty and authenticity from leaders, I think this is an essential step for peopel in roles like mine. I have to say, its nerve racking and I probably overthink things too much as this novice stage, but having the chance to learn from people like you really helps. Do you have any additional insights or advice for people in public sector leadership roles like mine?
@LesleeThompson Thanks, Leslee. As it happens, I am getting my Masters in Public Administration right now, and I have some public sector clients. I would say that, while there would be some specialized issues regarding social media for public sector leaders, the general ones (like in this post) are universally applicable.
I will think about creating a post that's framed more specifically for public-sector leaders.
Thanks for the idea!
RT @TareqG: 12 powerhouse habits of social media pros: http://t.co/c09WG1Te RT @terrinakamura
@klayton86 OMG, Karl? It's been ages since I last saw you. How are you? & has that funny guy on YouTube been doing more funny videos?
THANKS RT @nghannoum @gat1407: 12 powerhouse habits of social media pros: http://t.co/wFZKZsLz RT @terrinakamura
RT @johima: Help + Thank. "@terrinakamura: 12 powerhouse habits of #socialmedia pros: http://t.co/wFZKZsLz”
As for No 6 though anyone who understands social media follows back. This is the age of connection not being selective
@mqtodd Thanks so much, Michael! Means a ton coming from a social media super pro -- and super sharer/follower/mentor/teacher!
@BeckyGaylord You're welcome Becky - spot on with the 12 attributes in my experience!
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You just defined a great profile for a social media star contributor and engager vs egotistical luminary or poser guru/ninja. I think several of the authors that contribute to 12 Most either already exhibit these traits - or they are well on their way to earning their chops.
@SociallySavvy4U just awesome! cannot believe how time passes sooo fast ! Wish my day had 33 hours How's ur day shaping up?
Thanks so much for the kind RTs @mafiahairdreser @sameraljamal @laurenalford @primedelight @johnnosta @winenight @melissa808 @ross_quintana
Hi Becky,
A fellow curator of mine had mentioned this piece, so I had to check it out for myself. Thank you, I think you have really nailed the essence of what it takes to be a social media pro.
@TomGeorge Tom, great to know. It is one of the things I love most about social media: how easy it is to share something that sparks an interest.
Love it. Agree with all of them. Works offline, too, I might add. :)
Latest blog post: The Secret Ingredient? Passion.
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What a great article! My favorites on this post was #4, #5 and #11, but they were all amazing any way! I loved reading this!
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Hello Becky,
Thank you for writing this awesome article! I think the statements that resonate the most with me are 3. Thank, 4. Remember, and 5. Don’t patronize.
The real experts out there are truly humble. They do not show off, they do not even say they are experts at all. They practice the "tell less, show more" technique.
I teach classes on social media 101 and I keep telling my students: If you cannot build relationships before selling to others, you should not be in business.
Cheers!
RT @markwschaefer 12 Most Powerhouse Habits of Social Media Pros By Becky Gaylord http://t.co/qBB0o1xl via @12MostBusiness
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Oh, and though I've lapsed a bit lately, I comment a lot and believe that is a very good way to really connect with others!
@BruceSallan Totally agree with your remarks about how taking the time to comment on posts, Tweets, etc., really connects people to their network and followers on the social web. Great point. And thanks for the comments!
Let’s be social!
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