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How do you respond?

Image by fredcavazza One of the greatest values of Social Media is that you are able to easily put out content on many different channels. For instance, you’ll find me on my blog, on Twitter, on Facebook (on mypersonal profile and multiple Business Pages), on Youtube, on Flickr, on FriendFeed,Posterous, Tumblr and on and on (and on) …

Social Media isn’t about directing someone to one particular venue or site – if anything it’s about engaging others on the platform of their choice – not yours.

Read that again slowly. It’s their choice – not yours. Take this post as an example. You may choose to comment directly on my blog post. You may also see it via RSS in Facebook and comment there, or see where someone has ReTweeted it and comment on Twitter. Yesterday this post was up on my outside blog. Today it's up on the San Francisco Examiner site, andBusinessWeek, and TwitterQueens, and ActiveRain – On any of which you may comment there as well.

This presents a problem to the person who might be more used to the traditional forms of digital communication. When someone reaches out to you, what platform do you respond on?

Here’s a simple rule to follow…

Always reply in the same format in which the original message was received.

Simple, eh? Send me a DM on Twitter and I’ll respond in the same manner. Private message in Facebook? Reply the same way. Write on my Wall and I’ll reply right there as well. Leave a comment on my blog and my reply will always be right below yours.

However, if you ask a short question “How can I embed video on a FB Page?” via a DM on Twitter, my answer might take 27 replies at 140 characters each. In which case I’ll switch platforms and let you know where to look. “Too long for Twitter – I’ll send a reply to your email Susie@SusieQ.com”. Now we both know we’ve switched the conversation over to a different channel.

Remember: The idea behind Social Media is to engage others in meaningful ways.

It’s just the start of the conversation.

This post brought to you courtesy of Mike Mueller.
Feel free to ReBlog or ReTweet as you like as long as you credit the source (him).
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Posted by Mike Mueller on 09/15/2009 01:21 PM

Comments (29)

Social Media in the ActiveRain Channel

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Originally posted at: Mike Mueller, Social Media.ist: How do you respond?

Post is included in group: Twitter
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: Social Networks
Post is included in group: Social Media Marketing
Post is included in group: Facebook Tips

29 Comments on How do you respond?

SEP

Mike - Great, great point here. I had something similar happen a couple of days ago on Twitter via DM. My response would have taken forever there, so I emailed. It was a fun show today, eh?

Taking this one step further ... the more platforms we're on, the more chances we have to engage in conversations. That's impressive that you're getting coverage in the Examiner and BW. Also, for longer answers I've found 'let's get a cold beer and talk about that' to be effective.

Mike..That is some powerful information ,,Really liked it ..You communicated..isn't that the point..Not just communicated but understanding the communication..Thank you

HELPFULHANNAH

Let the client dictate how he/she wants you to best communicate with him. Some people HATE texts. Make sure to ask them before you start texting like mad.

Mike- Great tips my friend! It is so important to engage people on the platforms that they are comfortable with. I remember a comic strip that my wife shared with me. It was about a boy & father having a conversation.

The dad asked his son, "I understand that you are following your mother on twitter now"

"Yes I am!" replied the son.

"I think it is very awesome that you are interested in your mothers updates son and wanting to communicate with her on twitter" stated the father.

The son replied "No Dad, you have it all wrong! I did that so Mom has to keep it to under 140 characters!"

ePRO 101. Reply in the format the client is comfortable with; i.e., same format as sender's original missive.

When the format (such as a Twitter DM) requires a more verbose/involved response, respond in the original manner to let the receiver know a more detailed response is forthcoming via [best way]

Example: DM: Can you send me your Buyer Packet? (contains several links and attachments)

DM Response: Sure! e-mail it to Candice@ImYourGenieInABottleBaby.com-or another? LMK what is best for you. :)

Mike, you make some great points, some I already follow and wish many other would as well.

Id record a response for you on video, but I still need a mic. ;-)

Well said. Now I have to save your post to reference it later. Hope to plug in to all those channels.

Mike

Always enjoy your posts and insights. Sent you an email, but not certain whether AR forwarded it to you.

Seems like every site or social media form have their own rules on things such as self promotion or advertising.

Is there a post where you have addressed this? I saw your piece on Facebook, but for one who is thankful just for being able to type on a computer, I often feel overloaded when trying to self promote, but am cautious about being within the confines of all the sites terms and consitions which are often very ambiguous.

I am sure our blog readers would love a piece on this.

Thanks again.

Jason - it was a fun show! TwitterQueens Rock! http://areweconnected.com/2009/09/twitterqueens-on-the-radio-show/

John - That's right, bringing it face to face.

Jeremy - LOL!

Will someone please buy Clint Miller a microphone? - Please?

Wayne - You did, and I got it, and I think I probably responded via email before you had this comment up!

: )

Mike - Wiser words have not been spoken:

Social Media isn’t about directing someone to one particular venue or site – if anything it’s about engaging others on the platform of their choice – not yours.

It's hard to make some people understand that. Fantastic post.

Hi Mike ~ It seems like you're stating the obvious, but apparently only to some. I agree, you should respond by whatever median you are contacted by. It's their choice not yours. Well said.

Denise

So can I call my Ex wife and talk to her when she is chewing me out through texting?

Hi Mike,

You have hit the nail on the head and as stated above it does seem obvious, but not to all. Great advice and congratulations on the featured post.

I agree. that is why it is so important to be as many places as possible. The more that you are out there, the more people will find you.

Good food for thought - I have greatly limited my social media site list, but you give great food for thought to not limit it but plan better so I can cast a wider net.

Good points. Even in social media there are unwritten rules.

Sorry, I had a response until I read Jeremy's joke... too busy laughing to remember now...

I find this interesting and just wonder how one has the time to make sure they are hitting all these different platforms... any suggestions? It can be a bit time consuming.

It makes a lot of sense to engage people in the same way in which they reached out to you.

Amen... communities are made of conversation... and conversations are markets... we've always belonged to several communties. Same goes with social media... Great points, thanks...

SEP

Mike so true. I see you on Facebook as well, but it depends on where I find you to communicate to you.

I am so new to this whole social media thing that it will take me awhile to take it all in. Thanks for the info. Good food for thought.

Wow - so many comments! Yay! I won't respond to every one of them, just a few.

Chuck -

"So can I call my Ex wife and talk to her when she is chewing me out through texting?"

Nice one! Sorry that breaks the rules. You must repeatedly text back, "Yes Dear". What I do is hit the copy/paste button on my Blackberry, it makes it so much easier. LOL

Nicholas, Steve, Joan - This is off the original topic but... It's not that you have to be on all those networks. Although I'm an advocate for getting my message in front of as many eyeballs as you can and somewhat of an expert when it comes to extending that message. Many of the people I talk to have 1 blog here on AR, 1 template website, and a Facebook account (maybe toss in a twiitter as well) So there's three possible places someone could reach out to you. If that's all you can manage, good for you.

I would much rather set up systems where that content is easily distributed to as many places and where the comments and your "listening" is automated. Like here on AR, I don't have to be always ON AR to hear that I have a comment on my post - I get an email telling me so.

Lane - I loved the joke too!

Rene, Ray, Sharon and the rest - Thanks! Nobody needs to tell you, you already understand this stuff (as obvious as it may be)

Hi Mike - I agree, you should respond where you get the message because that forum is comfortable for the person who left the message. That's one reason I'm not crazy about syndicating feeds from one site to another - Facebook to Twitter and vice versa. If you're not on the site when you post a message, it's hard to respond to people and have a conversation.

Hi Mike: Thank you. I probably do because its easiest that way. That being said, you made me think about how I respond. I'll have to pay more attention to that now. Thanks again!

As we know the web is very large. Just blogging here can get you some traction on Google, but what about the 250 million people at Facebook, and what about the 100% plus per month growth of Twitter? I think we ignore them at our detriment. I really like how you put it all together.

Mike ... I like what you said that "Social Media isn't about directing someone to one particular venue or site - if anything it's about engaging others on the platform of their choice - not yours."

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