YOUTILITY

Why Smart Marketing Is About Help, Not Hype

The difference between helping and selling is just two letters. But those two letters are critically important to your company’s success.

You’re not competing for attention only against other, similar products. You’re competing for attention against everything. To win in this hyper-competitive environment, you must ask “How can we help?”

If you sell something, you make a customer today, but if you genuinely help someone, you create a customer for life. This is Youtility.

Includes interviews with dozens of companies practicing Youtility, and provides 6 blueprints for building Youtility in your company.

Available for pre-order soon (get up to 7 exclusive bonuses) at http://YoutilityBook.com
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5 Ways to be a Social Networking Smash

1. Be Helpful
Distribute what you know. Make people smarter.

2. Share
It’s not all about you. For every time you talk about your own stuff, talk about other people’s great content 8 times.

3. Be Personal
People gravitate toward people, not robots. Show what you’re really like. Just don’t be a freak.

4. Ask
It’s amazing what you can accomplish in social networking, if you just give it a shot. Rejection by email doesn’t sting much.

5. Don’t Try to Game the System
Seriously. Your “fool-proof method for gaining 5,000 Twitter followers in just two weeks” isn’t making others want to connect with you. It’s making us want to throw up in our mouths a little.

pf button both 5 Ways to be a Social Networking Smash
About Jay Baer

Jay Baer is a hype-free social media and content strategist & speaker, and author of Youtility: Why Smart Marketing is About Help not Hype. Jay is the founder of http://convinceandconvert.com and host of the Social Pros podcast.

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  • http://www.marketingthoughtleader.com/ Don Morgan

    Good post Jason. I especially like your comments on the 8:1 ratio and gaming the system. I’ve had a blog for a while but am just now experimenting with Twitter. So far I have mixed feelings. I had been reading one blog regularly so I decided to follow him on Twitter. After I got twenty-two posts from him the first day (all of them linked back to his blog) I dropped him because I felt like he was abusing the concept. And my inbox.

    I like your approach and advice. Keep it up!

    Don Morgan’s last blog post..7 Ways To Piss Off A Client

    • http://www.convinceandconvert.com/ Jason Baer

      Thanks Don. It’s definitely a fine line. I’m certainly not perfect in how I use social nets, but hopefully I’m doing more good than bad. Thanks much for the comment.

  • http://www.marketingthoughtleader.com/ Don Morgan

    Good post Jason. I especially like your comments on the 8:1 ratio and gaming the system. I’ve had a blog for a while but am just now experimenting with Twitter. So far I have mixed feelings. I had been reading one blog regularly so I decided to follow him on Twitter. After I got twenty-two posts from him the first day (all of them linked back to his blog) I dropped him because I felt like he was abusing the concept. And my inbox.

    I like your approach and advice. Keep it up!

    Don Morgan’s last blog post..7 Ways To Piss Off A Client

  • http://www.marketingthoughtleader.com Don Morgan

    Good post Jason. I especially like your comments on the 8:1 ratio and gaming the system. I’ve had a blog for a while but am just now experimenting with Twitter. So far I have mixed feelings. I had been reading one blog regularly so I decided to follow him on Twitter. After I got twenty-two posts from him the first day (all of them linked back to his blog) I dropped him because I felt like he was abusing the concept. And my inbox.

    I like your approach and advice. Keep it up!

    Don Morgan’s last blog post..7 Ways To Piss Off A Client

    • http://www.convinceandconvert.com Jason Baer

      Thanks Don. It’s definitely a fine line. I’m certainly not perfect in how I use social nets, but hopefully I’m doing more good than bad. Thanks much for the comment.

  • http://thelostjacket.com/ Stuart Foster

    Be helpful. Be helpful. Be helpful. I’ve accidentally fallen into more positivity by doing this then anything else. Karma in the SM world is appreciated and if you help others…it will be returned. Great points Jason. Gonna try and say hi at the upcoming Marketing Profs B2B.

    Stuart Foster’s last blog post..Where is Mobile Going?

    • http://www.convinceandconvert.com/ Jason Baer

      Stuart – Please do grab me in Boston. It’s going to be great. I’m looking forward to seeing you there.

    • http://www.convinceandconvert.com/ Jason Baer

      Stuart – Please do grab me in Boston. It’s going to be great. I’m looking forward to seeing you there.

  • http://thelostjacket.com Stuart Foster

    Be helpful. Be helpful. Be helpful. I’ve accidentally fallen into more positivity by doing this then anything else. Karma in the SM world is appreciated and if you help others…it will be returned. Great points Jason. Gonna try and say hi at the upcoming Marketing Profs B2B.

    Stuart Foster’s last blog post..Where is Mobile Going?

    • http://www.convinceandconvert.com Jason Baer

      Stuart – Please do grab me in Boston. It’s going to be great. I’m looking forward to seeing you there.

  • http://www.igomogul.com/blog iGoMogul

    Though you didn’t mention it, you did execute one of the best tips around–be memorable.

    “It’s making us want to throw up in our mouths a little.”

    Thanks for shaking things up!

    Sara @ iGoMogul

  • http://www.igomogul.com/blog iGoMogul

    Though you didn’t mention it, you did execute one of the best tips around–be memorable.

    “It’s making us want to throw up in our mouths a little.”

    Thanks for shaking things up!

    Sara @ iGoMogul

  • http://www.igomogul.com/blog iGoMogul

    Though you didn’t mention it, you did execute one of the best tips around–be memorable.

    “It’s making us want to throw up in our mouths a little.”

    Thanks for shaking things up!

    Sara @ iGoMogul

  • http://www.ticketturtle.com/ Heather Blackbird

    As a social networking newbie, I appreciate that you’re very clear, and make connecting feel attainable. I esp. liked the encouragement to ask for help. And then not take it hard when I get ignored.

    Thanks!

    Heather

  • http://www.ticketturtle.com Heather Blackbird

    As a social networking newbie, I appreciate that you’re very clear, and make connecting feel attainable. I esp. liked the encouragement to ask for help. And then not take it hard when I get ignored.

    Thanks!

    Heather

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  • http://www.rjdcreative.com/ Bob Diercksmeier

    As always, great stuff JB! Excellent points, very useful and helpful — a la point #1…

  • http://www.rjdcreative.com/ Bob Diercksmeier

    As always, great stuff JB! Excellent points, very useful and helpful — a la point #1…

  • http://www.rjdcreative.com Bob Diercksmeier

    As always, great stuff JB! Excellent points, very useful and helpful — a la point #1…

  • http://blog.crowinfodesign.com/ [Charlene]

    Hi Jay, Another great to-the-point post. Thanks for showing up the fabulous weather up there in Flagstaff. We’re melting in Phoenix.

    [Charlene]’s last blog post..Blog Resources

  • http://blog.crowinfodesign.com [Charlene]

    Hi Jay, Another great to-the-point post. Thanks for showing up the fabulous weather up there in Flagstaff. We’re melting in Phoenix.

    [Charlene]’s last blog post..Blog Resources

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  • http://www.vistasad.com/ atul chatterjee

    I’ve been working through blogs for the past month, Now I am slowly differentiating some of them. One thing you have not written about having a good blog or social media post is to have a lot of colour in it. This is one of the attractive and emotionally satisfying things about your blog.

    • http://www.convinceandconvert.com/ Jason Baer

      Atul -

      Thanks very much. Interesting point. I spent a lot of time redesigning my blog, so I’m really glad to hear you say it makes a difference for you. I appreciate it.

  • http://www.vistasad.com/ atul chatterjee

    I’ve been working through blogs for the past month, Now I am slowly differentiating some of them. One thing you have not written about having a good blog or social media post is to have a lot of colour in it. This is one of the attractive and emotionally satisfying things about your blog.

  • http://www.vistasad.com atul chatterjee

    I’ve been working through blogs for the past month, Now I am slowly differentiating some of them. One thing you have not written about having a good blog or social media post is to have a lot of colour in it. This is one of the attractive and emotionally satisfying things about your blog.

    • http://www.convinceandconvert.com Jason Baer

      Atul -

      Thanks very much. Interesting point. I spent a lot of time redesigning my blog, so I’m really glad to hear you say it makes a difference for you. I appreciate it.

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  • http://blog.bronto.com/ DJ Waldow

    @jaybaer:

    Absolutely priceless quote:

    “I want you to be a human. I want you to be a person. But not a freak.”

    Brilliant advice.

    DJ Waldow
    @djwaldow

    DJ Waldow’s last blog post..Egencia Is No Priceline: How are we doing?

  • http://blog.bronto.com DJ Waldow

    @jaybaer:

    Absolutely priceless quote:

    “I want you to be a human. I want you to be a person. But not a freak.”

    Brilliant advice.

    DJ Waldow
    @djwaldow

    DJ Waldow’s last blog post..Egencia Is No Priceline: How are we doing?

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  • Kimberly Krautter

    Very impressive. I’m going to recommend you to my clients. Thanks for being helpful, for sharing, for being personal and for not gaming us… hey wait a minute! A guy who walks the walk — WOW — you’re a rock star!

    Cheers- Kimberly

  • http://YourWebsite Kimberly Krautter

    Very impressive. I’m going to recommend you to my clients. Thanks for being helpful, for sharing, for being personal and for not gaming us… hey wait a minute! A guy who walks the walk — WOW — you’re a rock star!

    Cheers- Kimberly

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  • http://www.thehousedog.com/ TheHouseDog

    “5. Don’t Try to Game the System
    Seriously. Your “fool-proof method for gaining 5,000 Twitter followers in just two weeks” isn’t making others want to connect with you. It’s making us want to throw up in our mouths a little.”

    I completely agree with you on this. It’s beyond annoying!! I want to read content rich tweets not these MLM or Affiliate lead tweets.

    Good Stuff:)

  • http://www.thehousedog.com/ TheHouseDog

    “5. Don’t Try to Game the System
    Seriously. Your “fool-proof method for gaining 5,000 Twitter followers in just two weeks” isn’t making others want to connect with you. It’s making us want to throw up in our mouths a little.”

    I completely agree with you on this. It’s beyond annoying!! I want to read content rich tweets not these MLM or Affiliate lead tweets.

    Good Stuff:)

  • http://www.thehousedog.com TheHouseDog

    “5. Don’t Try to Game the System
    Seriously. Your “fool-proof method for gaining 5,000 Twitter followers in just two weeks” isn’t making others want to connect with you. It’s making us want to throw up in our mouths a little.”

    I completely agree with you on this. It’s beyond annoying!! I want to read content rich tweets not these MLM or Affiliate lead tweets.

    Good Stuff:)

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  • http://dezfutak.com/ Dez Futak

    Good reminders Mark – it’s easy to lose the plot sometimes (I certainly have with Twitter from time to time, that’s for sure). Thanks for the reminders. Esp. like the 8 to 1 idea.

    Cheers,

    Dez.

    Dez Futak’s last blog post..Automate Your Twitter Account (Part 1)

  • http://dezfutak.com/ Dez Futak

    Good reminders Mark – it’s easy to lose the plot sometimes (I certainly have with Twitter from time to time, that’s for sure). Thanks for the reminders. Esp. like the 8 to 1 idea.

    Cheers,

    Dez.

    Dez Futak’s last blog post..Automate Your Twitter Account (Part 1)

  • http://dezfutak.com Dez Futak

    Good reminders Mark – it’s easy to lose the plot sometimes (I certainly have with Twitter from time to time, that’s for sure). Thanks for the reminders. Esp. like the 8 to 1 idea.

    Cheers,

    Dez.

    Dez Futak’s last blog post..Automate Your Twitter Account (Part 1)

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  • http://twitter.com/erikg1/status/1882490514 Erik Goldhar

    5 Ways To Be A Social Media Smash – http://twurl.nl/etqpsc

  • raj dash

    @jaybaer ‘s tips on social ntwkng: http://bit.ly/n21XX

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  • http://twitter.com/farewellcup/status/1910057782 linda ying

    5 Ways to be a Social Networking Smash http://twurl.nl/jquusa

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  • http://twitter.com/gcdmarketing/status/1917651918 Gail Diggs

    Reading 5 Ways To Be a Social Media Smash http://bit.ly/n21XX

  • http://www.jordankettner.com/ Jordan Kettner

    Great post Jason. Really useful tips…

    Jordan Kettner’s last blog post..Let Users Add Comments To Your Blog Via Twitter & Facebook

  • http://www.jordankettner.com/ Jordan Kettner

    Great post Jason. Really useful tips…

    Jordan Kettner’s last blog post..Let Users Add Comments To Your Blog Via Twitter & Facebook

  • http://www.jordankettner.com Jordan Kettner

    Great post Jason. Really useful tips…

    Jordan Kettner’s last blog post..Let Users Add Comments To Your Blog Via Twitter & Facebook

  • http://twitter.com/azkt1/status/1940381783 Kati Spencer

    Wondering how to be successful w/ social media? Rule #1: "be helpful." And subscribe to Convince & Convert from @jaybaer http://bit.ly/kc0sk

  • http://twitter.com/azprgal/status/1940562690 Jackie Wright

    RT @AZKT1: Wondering how to be successful w/ social media? “be helpful.” And subscribe to this awesome blog! @jaybaer http://bit.ly/kc0sk

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  • http://twitter.com/stnmoon/status/1990288837 Stephen Moon

    RT @JDEbberly: 5 Ways to be a Social Networking Smash | Convince & Convert – http://sn.im/j4cv2

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  • http://www.ribeezie.com/ Ricardo Bueno

    Great list! Especially on point number 1 (and all the others as well actually).

    You gotta “give” before you “get.” Contribute something of value to the community long before you ask anything in return.
    [rq=16266,0,blog][/rq]Is Commenting On Blogs An Effective Traffic Strategy?

  • http://www.ribeezie.com Ricardo Bueno

    Great list! Especially on point number 1 (and all the others as well actually).

    You gotta “give” before you “get.” Contribute something of value to the community long before you ask anything in return.
    [rq=16266,0,blog][/rq]Is Commenting On Blogs An Effective Traffic Strategy?

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  • http://twitter.com/ribeezie/status/2185502778 Ricardo Bueno

    5 Ways to be A Social Networking Smash: http://bit.ly/k8Gcr

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  • http://www.Facilitate.com/ Julia Young

    Jay – you are walking the talk – or perhaps talking the walk(!) Thanks for some good advise and a great example of providing good information in an easy to use and personably way. I look forward to exploring and sharing more of what you have to say.

  • http://www.Facilitate.com/ Julia Young

    Jay – you are walking the talk – or perhaps talking the walk(!) Thanks for some good advise and a great example of providing good information in an easy to use and personably way. I look forward to exploring and sharing more of what you have to say.

  • http://www.Facilitate.com Julia Young

    Jay – you are walking the talk – or perhaps talking the walk(!) Thanks for some good advise and a great example of providing good information in an easy to use and personably way. I look forward to exploring and sharing more of what you have to say.

  • http://twitter.com/ma_martin/status/2820390414 ma_martin

    RT @tweetmeme 5 Ways to be a Social Networking Smash | Social Media Marketing | Social Media Consulting – Convince & … http://bit.ly/zjVv5

  • http://twitter.com/briannaweller/status/2821385535 Brianna Weller

    Jay Baer’s 5 Ways to be a Social Networking Smash http://bit.ly/kc0sk

  • http://twitter.com/insideoutweb/status/2821416490 InsideOut Solutions

    RT @tweetmeme 5 Ways to be a Social Networking Smash | Social Media Marketing | Social Media Consulting – Convince & … http://bit.ly/zjVv5

  • http://twitter.com/bigbadbrett/status/2823522783 Brett Jackson

    RT @tweetmeme 5 Ways to be a Social Networking Smash. Awesome little info bomb delivered in under 3 mins! http://bit.ly/zjVv5

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  • http://twitter.com/reneerouleau/status/2830860006 Renée Rouleau

    RT @jaybaer Great video and tips on social media. >5 Ways to be a Social Networking Smash http://bit.ly/zjVv5

  • http://twitter.com/craigsadvice/status/2853596143 Craig Moore

    RT @tweetmeme 5 Ways to be a Social Networking Smash | Social Media Marketing | Social Media Consulting – Convince & … http://bit.ly/zjVv5

  • http://twitter.com/chrisgeier/status/3147136843 Chris Geier

    watching 5 ways to be a social networking Smash http://bit.ly/k8Gcr

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  • http://twitter.com/vickyhastings/status/3770323887 Vicky Hastings

    In prep for Social Media: Beyond the Hype., here’s Jay Baer’s video 5 Ways to be a Social Networking Smash http://bit.ly/kc0sk #inmthood

  • http://twitter.com/richardglynn/status/21390398310 Richard Glynn

    5 Ways to be a Social Networking Smash | Social Media Marketing | Social Media Consulting – Convince & Convert http://bit.ly/bjDfEs

  • mixedherbs

    The best technique to employ to hit a smash in social networking? – BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS! The more you get personal with people the more you hit your target! This is the best technique I’ve utilized since I started doing online business and it never failed me! Of course, the results aren’t shown overnight but definitely it’ll hit the target at the end.

  • letstalkandchat

    I just found a great company that builds websites for info products. To keep your costs low, they’ll mentor you on how to create your site, design a marketing funnel (one of the guys works in Hollywood and makes really slick videos), and the other guy programmed Myspace. If you’re looking to have professional web design for your small business and not waste any time or money then check their site out. Check them out: http://www.mikelmurphy.com/easy-info-product-site-system/