Are you trying to embrace social media at bayonet point?
Yes, you should absolutely broaden your social media efforts, and get more people from your company involved, and in more places. But, you should not do that at the expense of the secret ingredient of social media – Passion.
Why do features and benefits-laden messages not work in social media? Because people typically aren’t passionate about features.
Why do people friend companies on Facebook? Because they are passionate about that brand.
Why do people that you don’t know take the time to retweet your content on Twitter? Because they’re passionate about what you have to say.
Sure, social media bloggers/consultants like me, Mack Collier, Danny Brown, Dave Fleet, Jacob Morgan, Sonny Gill, Olivier Blanchard, Jason Falls and many more pick up the occasional client or speaking gig from our blogs, but the blog writing itself doesn’t pay for itself. Far from it. We spend the time writing because we have a passion for it.
You can’t buy passion. And you can’t fake it.
In their zeal to get involved in social media, many companies (and even some of my clients), have adopted a policy of assigning social media responsibilities. You are a Vice President. Thus, you know what you’re doing, and we need to share that thought leadership with the world. Consequently, you will be blogging, and we expect you to have a new post every two weeks.
Does that sound familiar?
You can’t force social media adoption, because the more you associate social media with just another job task that you don’t really have time for, the less passion your content will contain, and the less successful it will be.
Passion trumps position in social media. If you have mid-level or junior staff that really want to create content on behalf of your company, you’re better off giving them the keys and helping them create more engaging and insightful content, as opposed to adhering to an edict that the senior team has to be the mouthpiece.
The content will have passion. The content creators will be happy that you gave them the opportunity to communicate on behalf of the company. And the members of your team that would rather not get involved in social media can stay on the sidelines, making them happier, too.
At the organization level, we’re almost to the point where social media engagement is mandatory. At the individual level, we aren’t, and I’m not sure we’ll ever get there, or should.
How about you? Do you have people gritting their teeth about social media in your company?
(photo by floodllama)
About Jay Baer
Twitter Comment
Passion Trumps Position | Social Media Marketing | Social Media Consulting – Convince & Convert [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @tweetmeme Passion Trumps Position | Social Media Marketing | Social Media Consulting – Convince & Convert [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @jaybaer: Are you doing social media at bayonet point? Why Passion Trumps Position. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Give ur SM “keys” to the right ppl RT @jaybaer: Are you doing social media at bayonet point? Why Passion Trumps Position. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Great stuff on who takes SM lead. RT @jaybaer: Are you doing social media at bayonet point? Why Passion Trumps Position. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
This is right on! RT @jaybaer: Do you have enough passion for social media? It’s okay to hand over the keys. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @startuppro @tweetmeme Passion Trumps Position | Social Media Marketing | Social Media – Convince & Convert [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @jonjonbailey Right on! RT @jaybaer: Do you have enough passion for social media? It’s okay to hand over the keys. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
So True! @jaybaer Do you have enough passion for social media? It’s okay to hand over the keys. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @jaybaer: Do you have enough passion for social media? It’s okay to hand over the keys. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Love it! RT@jonjonbailey This is right on! RT @jaybaer: Do you have enough passion for social media? [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @jaybaer Passion Trumps Position — when it comes to social media and community leadership. [Erick] [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Gotta Love That @jaybaer 4 His Recent Post About Passion Trumping Position [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @tweetmeme Passion Trumps Position | Social Media Marketing |Convince & Convert [link to post] – Good article. Take note Habitat!
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT jaybaer: Are you social media passionate? [link to post] JB’s 100% right on. Find niches you love & the rest is easy/fun/satisfying.
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT@jaybaer-Just because you’re a VP doesn’t mean you HAVE to blog. Why passion trumps position in social media. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @jaybaer: Just because you’re a VP doesn’t mean you HAVE to blog. Why passion trumps position in social media. [link to post] (AMEN!)
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @BethHarte RT @jaybaer: Why passion trumps position in social media. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @jaybaer Are you doing social media at bayonet point? Why Passion Trumps Position. [link to post] < -- I love this post!
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Just because you’re a VP doesn’t mean you HAVE to blog. Why passion trumps position in social media. [link to post]@Todd_Keller1
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Absolutely. RT @jaybaer: Just because you’re a VP doesn’t mean u HAVE to blog. Why passion trumps position in SM. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @jaybaer Just because you’re a VP doesn’t mean you HAVE to blog. Why passion trumps position in social media. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @BethHarte @jaybaer: Just because you’re a VP doesn’t mean u HAVE to blog. Why passion trumps position in social media. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Passion Trumps Position–Convince & Convert Jason Baer hits another home run! [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @tweetmeme Passion Trumps Position–GREAT post; I’m tweeting instead of blogging about it [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @jaybaer: Just because you’re a VP doesn’t mean you HAVE to blog. Why passion trumps position in social media. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Passion Trumps Position–Convince & Convert Jason Baer hits another home run! [link to post] #leadership #business #management
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Just because you’re a VP doesn’t mean u HAVE to blog. Why passion trumps position in social media. [link to post] RT @BethHarte @jaybaer
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
“Passion Trumps Position | Social Media Marketing | Social Media …” [link to post] #plugyourbook
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Passion Trumps Position | Social Media Marketing | Social Media … [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @maggielmcg: RT @tweetmeme Passion Trumps Position–GREAT post; I’m tweeting instead of blogging about it [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Passion Trumps Position | Social Media Marketing | Social Media …: Social Media Strategy Blog Social Media Con.. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @tweetmeme Passion Trumps Position in Social Media Marketing [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
This is do true…must read RT @jaybaer Passion Trumps Position | Social Media Marketing [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
s_rajan Exc perspective ..must read RT @jaybaer Passion Trumps Position | Social Media Marketing [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
This is do true…must read RT @jaybaer Passion Trumps Position | Social Media Marketing [link to post] (via @smmguide)
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @jaybaer Passion Trumps Position in Social Media [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @WACtwit: RT @DaphneLeigh: Why passion trumps position in SM. “Can’t buy it, can’t fake it.” [link to post] (via @swoodruff) #hcsmeu
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Why passion trumps position in SM. “Can’t buy it, can’t fake it.” [link to post] (via @swoodruff) #hcsm #hcmktg
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @DaphneLeigh: Why passion trumps position in SM. “Can’t buy it, can’t fake it.” [link to post] (via @swoodruff) #hcsm #hcmktg
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
@swoodruff great read thanks “Why passion trumps position in SM. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Are You Trying To Embrace Social Media At Bayonet Point? – Passion Trumps Position (Jay Baer): [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @SocialMedia411: Are You Trying To Embrace Social Media At Bayonet Point? – Passion Trumps Position (Jay Baer): [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
For social media, you can’t buy passion and you can’t fake it. Passion trumps position: [link to post] RT @SocialMedia411
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @SocialMedia411 Are You Trying To Embrace Social Media At Bayonet Point? – Passion Trumps Position (Jay Baer): [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @SocialMedia411 Are You Trying To Embrace Social Media At Bayonet Point? – Passion Trumps Position (Jay Baer): [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT@SocialMedia411Are You Trying To Embrace Social Media At Bayonet Point? – Passion Trumps Position (Jay Baer): [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
True RT @SocialMedia411: Are U Trying To Embrace Social Media At Bayonet Point? – Passion Trumps Position (Jay Baer): [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT: @SocialMedia411: Are You Trying To Embrace Social Media At Bayonet Point? – Passion Trumps Position (Jay Baer): [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
SocialMedia411: Are You Trying To Embrace Social Media At Bayonet Point? – Passion Trumps Position (Jay Baer): [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Why I don’t blog RT @DaphneLeigh: Why passion trumps position in SM. “Can’t buy it, can’t fake it.” [link to post] (via @swoodruff) #hcsm
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Good to remember: RT @gocatallina: RT @DaphneLeigh: Passion trumps position-can’t buy it, can’t fake it [link to post] (via @swoodruff)
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Passion Trumps Position – [link to post] #socialmedia #tech
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @JeffHurt: Passion Trumps Position by @jaybear [Don’t force SM @ your comp, empower those passionate about it] [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Passion Trumps Position by @jaybear [Don’t force social media @ your comp, empower those passionate about it] [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @JeffHurt Passion Trumps Position by @jaybear [Don’t force social media @ your comp, empower those passionate about it] [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Hear hear! RT @jaybaer Just cuz you’re a VP doesn’t mean you HAVE to blog. Why passion trumps position in social media. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @katcalbes:RT @jaybaer Just cuz you’re a VP doesn’t mean you HAVE to blog. Why passion trumps position in social media. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
From Convince & Convert: Passion Trumps Position [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Passion Trumps Position, says @jaybaer – [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Passion Trumps Position, says @jaybaer – [link to post] via @sonnygill @SashaHalima
– Posted using Chat Catcher
FriendFeed Comment
Fwd: Passion Trumps Position – [link to post] (via http://ff.im/7msrD) http://friendfeed.com/e/339cc2ce-8f37-424e-8255-4ad2a80bab46
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @TomMartin ‘You can’t buy passion. You can’t fake it.’ @JasonBaer [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
AndyTabarRT @TomMartin ‘You can’t buy passion. You can’t fake it.’ @jaybaer [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
AndyTabarRT @TomMartin ‘You can’t buy passion. You can’t fake it.’ @ jaybaer [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher