How to Talk About Social Media In Business: 5 Points, Video Interview

Image created on iPhone with Decim8 & Photoforge2 apps
So I’m reading “9 Tips That Will Change How You Use Social Media” by Jay Baer, and I go to his Google+ page (that’s one of the tips, btw). There, I see this video interview from Blogworld with Bryan Elliott of Behind the Brand and Amber Naslund of Brass Tack Thinking.



Social Media Jobs

If you see social media as part of your career, consider the points Naslund makes. As a new media enthusiast, I relate to what Ms. Naslund shares here: direct talk about making the business case for social media, along with general advice on getting buy-in. If you’re in the social/new media world – or if you’re looking for a career there, or if your career now involves understanding social media, check out this video to hear it described in plain English by one who knows of where she speaks. Ms. Naslund is formerly the VP of social strategy for Radian6. Her book with Baer, The Now Revolution has structural guidance (rather than tactical, as many other books do) for businesses considering social media.

What is Social Media?

According to Naslund: “If I had to encapsulate it in something, it is…

Reducing the friction in individual communication. 

“That has long reaching implications. Think: Arab Spring, Occupy Wall St. We’ve removed barriers to communication and information in a way that is completely unprecedented. So now geography and circumstance aren’t part of that equation anymore. People can communicate and connect with each other halfway around the world in an instant, and it has profound impact on the decisions, choices and actions we take.”

5 Social Media Business Talking Points

Credit: Amber Naslund of Brass Tack Thinking
1. Advice to many businesses getting into social media: Slow down. It’s important that you do this, but put together a strategy first.
2. On ROI: If you’re doing something new, you have to look at success differently. We take hugs to the bank all the time in business. Because we don’t demand necessarily that every effort turn a profit from day one – not that it shouldn’t eventually. When you’re talking about innovation, disruptive technologies, or rethinking a new business model, you have to think of success in different terms.
3. Incremental change makes up the big change. You have to be willing to settle for – sometimes – small, tiny shifts toward the right direction. Everyone wants to change the world, but not everybody wants to take the first step.
4. We as new media enthusiasts see a future no one else sees quite yet.
5. Collaboration is a word we’re good at giving lip service to, but aren’t as good at putting into practice. It’s about making people feel invested in the outcome, and that they’ve got a collective reward from the result.
BONUS POINT (from me): Item #5 also applies to customers interacting with brands, as well as employees feeling a part of something bigger and seeing the rewards. How rewarding is it for a superfan to interact with a favorite brand? Ever met a celebrity or one of your heroes? Exactly. There’s value in all interactions.

What do you think? Is this a reasonable way of talking about social media? Or are we just in the “Summer of Love” at this point? (credit toBrian Solis for that). What is YOUR definition of social media? Let us hear from you in the comments!

Related articles

• Looking for a Job in PR? Know Your Social Media. (rsmithing.com)
• How to Train Your Employees On Social Media [Mike Morrison](ecademy.com)
• The Now Revolution. 7 Shifts to make your business faster, smarter, and more social. Jay Baer & Amber Naslund. (regnordman.com)
• Is Content King in Social Media? (hilarytopper.com)
• Social Media for businesses – part 2 (smalltalkmarketing.wordpress.com)
• Five Myths About Social Media (entrepreneur.com)
• 5 Ways to Get ROI from Social Media (venpop.com)
• What to Do When Your Social Media Strategy Is Successful (mashable.com)