I’ve been learning a ton about social media lately, but I have to say, I never feel like I’m actually getting anywhere with it all. I have nothing to sell really, just “call Make It Work when you need onsite computer repairs or help with your gadgets.” But I’m not really selling a product or service. Truth be told, I don’t have enough followers just yet anyhow, so only time will tell if I might change my game-plan.
I’ve met some of the bigwigs on Twitter for Make It Work and had some fun and even helped a few people with some of my tweets, but what is this thing really about I keep asking myself. While my followers are growing rapidly, I still wonder if Twitter is really of any value. That said, Facebook has implemented some new changes that have taken away from the quick response and chatter that was once enjoyable and useful, but great for expanding the Facebook user base and targeting a sales channel. Anyhow, sorry to rant, but I’m frustrated with social media and the concept in general. Email seemed to be working just fine before all this other crap came along.
I may have figured out something about this whole craze though. While many of the people I’ve met (no names mentioned here) are very well connected and know a great deal about the tools in play here, I think they are all after the same thing. Sure, networking is the focus, but why build a giant Twitter following in the first place? I think it’s so you can be influential on people’s buying decisions and more directly, sell things. I’m not talking about the guy that DM’s you and says, “this link will change your life.” Rather, the guy who invites you to learn more about something you care about and finishes the discussion/seminar/webinar/call/meeting with a “you can buy it here.” By having many followers and becoming trusted, you can simply tweet, “check this out, I love it” and many will follow, buy and you get paid a commission. Do most know this is happening to them when they follow their trusted leaders advice or do they even care?
There is an entire new world of Internet marketers out there and while Amazon might come to mind when I say this, what I really mean are the folks that are prominent figures on Twitter and Facebook, have a strong following and constantly share information about whatever is top of mind. Sometimes it’s just advice, or perhaps it’s something of interest, but often enough its an indirect sales pitch playing a numbers game in a world of trusting and bewildered individuals focused on watching their tweets, status updates and even an email from time to time. Long story short, followers = buyers. What is being sold and how is different, but it reminds me of multi-level marketing (Avon, JuicePlus, Quorum, Herbalife, Monavie), in different clothes (probably pajamas). I’ll bet those in the MLM game that figure out the SM game are the true winners of this race.
Follow Make It Work on Twitter to interact with Eric Greenspan, CEO of Make It Work.
To the moon!
-Eric Greenspan
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