I've always enjoyed magic tricks that created those moments of amazement, excitement, and wonder during my childhood years. Even today as an adult I still enjoy watching David Copperfield, Criss Angel, and David Blaine. These guys go to the extreme in order to capture and bewilder our minds leaving us with sheer disbelief of what just took place.
You can probably think of few times that you were thinking ‘How did they do that?'
Now, you're probably wondering what does this have to do with social media marketing right.
Well, I had to give a positive plug to the magicians of the world before I unveil some of the not so great magic tricks in social media marketing.
Fair enough?
Great!
Now, let me be the first to say that I'm not an expert in social media marketing nor will I ever claim to be. What I'm sharing with you is my personal opinion and what I truly believe can help you avoid what I call ‘Social Media Magic Tricks' that can possibly hurt your social media marketing efforts on a personal, professional, and promotional level.
So let's get started shall we?
Here are the ‘Top 5 Social Media Magic Tricks to Avoid'
1) The Vanishing Act
In this trick a magician makes something disappear-a coin, a cage of doves, milk from a newspaper, an assistant from a cabinet, or even the Statue of Liberty.
In social media marketing the thing that disappears in this trick is YOU! This trick basically happens when you are sending out a barrage of tweets, links, posts, and updates in short bursts of time and all of a sudden. ..
Poof!
You disappear for a week or two never to be heard of or seen again. Then all of a sudden you appear again and start the process all over again. The Vanishing act does not work and can cause you to lose friends and followers. The key is consistency and more importantly a steady flow of communication not five tweets or five links sent out all at the same time.
2) The Illusion
In this trick a magician creates an optical illusion, which makes the audience think that he has created a new quarter from two quarters. Illusion is the condition of being deceived by a false perception or belief.
Now in social media marketing this trick is when either personal or professional illusions are created in order to advance ones gain in the social media landscape. You've probably seen all the different opinions circulating the social networks on how the numbers of followers you have on social platforms like Twitter dictate the level of authority you have.
Nonsense!
While numbers are impressive to see with the naked eye they can be an illusion if there are no connections or conversations taking place among you and your followers. Here's a great article from Michel Fortin on this very topic at http://ow.ly/1SmZ
Embrace the ‘Power of One' mindset and treat each person you meet as the most important person in the world.
Remember -
One connection
One conversation
One friendship
One person can open you up to amazing opportunities and possibilities!
3) The Sleight of Hand
In this trick a magician performs with the audience close, usually within three or four meters, possibly in physical contact. He often makes use of everyday items as props, such as cards and coins and use misdirection and natural choreography in accomplishing a magical effect.
In social media marketing this trick is often used in forced continuity programs. Basically, a product is sold with lots of bonuses and perks for a ridiculously low price and the misdirect or sleight of hand trick is that in the small fine print you are also enrolling in a monthly continuity program that charges your credit card on a monthly basis.
Now let me say that there is nothing wrong with forced continuity when you openly and clearly disclose that your purchase includes a monthly continuity program. The trick to avoid is misdirection, not being open and honest with your customers, and tricking them into your continuity program.
4) The Great Escape
This is the hold your breath type of magic trick where the magician is placed in a restraining device (i.e. handcuffs or a straitjacket) and/or a death trap, and escapes to safety. Famous examples include being put in a straitjacket and into an overflowing tank of water, and being tied up and placed in a car being sent through a car crusher.
Now you're probably wondering how a trick in social media marketing can be compared to that.
Well, believe it or not in social media marketing this trick can be compared to the fear, anticipation, and anxiety that you can feel when you are told that a certain product, call, or event will never be offered again only to find out later on that it was just a hold your breath trick to get you to buy.
Now, don't get me wrong if there is an offer that is truly a one-time offer then there's nothing wrong with it. However, when you use fear of loss as a sales tactic but you don't honor what you're offer is saying then that's a trick that should never be used.
5) The Transformation
In this trick a magician transforms something from one state into another-a silk handkerchief changes color, a lady turns into a tiger, an indifferent card changes to the spectator's chosen card.
In social media marketing I can't begin to tell you how many transformation tricks I've seen. This basically is when a post, tweet, or message is saying one thing but when you click through the link it magically turns into something completely different.
For example, have you ever seen a post giving away a free book or recording only to find that once you click on the link it takes you to a long sales page requiring you to purchase a completely different product in order to receive the free book? Talk about transformation and changing colors!
These 'Top 5 Social Media Magic Tricks to Avoid' are meant to help you prevent from making some costly mistakes in your social media marketing efforts.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about how you can become more effective in social media marketing. If you found this information to be helpful feel free to share it with your friends.
Remember - A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. ~ Harvey Fierstein
P.S. Have you had any social media magic tricks pulled on you lately?
Make it a great day!
Marco
President
National Entrepreneur Club
Marco Carbajo is a business credit specialist and social media marketing trainer. He is author of many credit related articles and is President of the National Entrepreneur Club. An on-line membership community for entrepreneurs and business owners that makes building business credit and social media marketing Simple to Use, Easy to Understand, Effective for You and Affordable for Everyone.
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