Posted on by Frank - Follow me on Twitter

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This is the biggest crock I’ve ever heard.  Although, you know it’s true.  Every single time a new social network is launched and it becomes a hot ticket item, all the “popular” people on the internet are always asking to connect.  You know what the funny part is, they look at connecting differently than you or I would.  They view it as the following…

“Come connect with me on (insert social network here) to help me build my following so that I receive a ton of comments and can eventually market the hell out of you.”

See, they once looked at it the way we did…having actual conversations.  Even though the main players in the social media space are the one’s we learned  about community and engagement from, they for some reason stopped.  We all know why.  Basically, their number of “followers” became too great and they couldn’t keep up.  If that’s so, than how come Gary Vaynerchuk has no problem keeping up?  He has a huge fan base and always does his best to engage.  Just look at his Twitter stream and see how many people he talks to.  However, for the rest of them, I think it became less about the conversation and more about viewing their community as a quick buck.

Am I jealous?  No.  I feel we can all be successful in our own ways and we alone determine what success is.  However, just because you’ve reached success doesn’t mean you should stop the good practices, like community engagement that you first preached in the very beginning.  I can admit I’m aggravated with what the social media space seems to have turned into.  I love this space and I am very passionate about it, but I don’t like when the average person who really wants to connect with these “big shots” isn’t heard.  Just because you can grab a comment from them regardless of what you say, doesn’t mean you should take their input for granted.  Can we go back to listening to what others have to say?

When I first thought of writing this post, I couldn’t decide whether to do it in a video or text format.  Then I figured the written word always means more.  I’ve been seeing others online aggravated with the way people are using social media, so I know it’s not just me.  I will never tell anyone how to use these platforms, but at least I care to hear what someone has to say.  I don’t think there’s a reason to call out specific people because I believe everyone has their own person in mind.  Not to mention, we probably share similar opinions.

I apologize if this came off as a rant, but it has to be said and here are my three main takeaways for you as you build your presence in social media.  Oh, and I understand that most of them expect criticism like this and won’t address it, but this post was for the average “joe.”

1. Be the person who talks to the person that the “big man on campus” won’t talk to.  I’ve done this before and real life and they became a best friend.

2. As a good friend of mine Kat Armstrong said, “I want friends, not fans or followers.”  Friends matter and they are the one’s that listen.

3. Don’t emulate what someone “popular” has done.  That’s worked for them, find you stand and capitalize on your strength.

What’s your stance now on when one of these “internet celebrities” ask you to connect on a social network?  Are you quick to jump into their lap or are you frustrated with not being heard?  Let me know!

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