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One of the major mistakes companies run into as they dip their toe in the social media space is utilizing broadcast style advertising. In other words they take the advertising model of t.v. or radio, where the idea is to barrage people with messages about your company or offering, and begin mucking up their blogs or other sites with the same marketing style content. Below is an example of someone who is using the broadcast model on twitter.

Don’t do this. Not only is it annoying to others and hurtful to your brand, it simply doesn’t work. Social Media is an “opt in” marketing medium, in other words, no one has any incentive to listen to you. If you start blaring your message over and over anyone who was remotely interested will leave. It’s kind of like going to a party and talking about yourself the whole time. Your accomplishments, your good looks, your reason for being, your life story, your agenda. You, you, you blah, blah, blah. Eventually everyone gives up attempting conversation with you. Sure you may have a few hundred followers but the only reason their pretending to listen to you is in hopes that you’ll listen to them. They don’t care about you or what you’re offering any more than you care about them.

Stop screaming.

Chat with people. There’s a reason this is called ’social’ media. It’s like a big party: everyone talking, laughing, sharing ideas, throwing out suggestions, and yes even listening. The key is to strike the right balance between sharing about yourself and being interested in others.

Photo Credit: Felipe Bachomo