Are you a social media snob?
This happened to me, and through my Internet travels, it seems I’m not the only one.
People who, well frankly, are snobs in social media.
Here’s the story:
There is one person on Twitter I’d REALLY like to get to know for business reasons. I’ve tried everything to get this person’s attention. Sent several direct messages, retweeted tweets written, asked about this person’s family, pointed out our similarities… you name it. Plus, I have had several people email this person or introduce me on Twitter, because they felt we really were a good match.
Still not a tweet or a peep. Not even a curt response saying, “Not interested.” “Too busy.” (Fill in your own pat blow off answer here)
When asking around if this was common, and it seems with certain people online it is. As a matter of fact, several named the same person I was trying to reach out to as a snob.
I know that many will excuse this person by saying people like this are too busy to answer every request. But I know folks who are just as busy who at least have the courtesy to say just that! And I know plenty of others who make the time to just say hello once in a while, regardless of their own crazy life.
Well, Snob Twitterer, I have some news for you.
Social media, like Twitter, is a public relations tool. Sure, you may be able to build a huge following, but without building and nurturing those relationships you’re going to lose in the long run. The word is already out about you: your reputation is tarnished!
Public relations (and especially social media) is about relationship marketing. And you are failing at building and nurturing the relationships you may need in the future.
And, if you are reading this, Snob Twitterer, and want to make amends, please tweet me at http://www.twitter.com/ShannonCherry (@ShannonCherry), and I promise to answer your tweet!
Great post!
I can’t stand snobs – and it’s not just on twitter either – it’s everywhere online. It’s annoying.
Yup, I’ve had this happen to me. I reply to the person on Twitter, I send messages on Facebook and I’m even in close communication with people in this person’s circle of friends. Yet, nadda.
I even bought a high ticket product from the person, yet the relationship building on social media is missing. Whenever I try to reach out to this person, I get nary a response.
It’s like the friend who you always call, but never ever thinks about calling you first. Eventually, you realize you’re putting way more into the relationship than you’re getting in return. Not a good feeling.
I use a 3 strikes rule. If after 3 attempts I don’t get a response, I stop. And eventually, the person that I was chasing ends up contacting me. It may takes days or weeks, but if you two were meant to be connected, the person you speak of will reach out to you.
Oh Shannon, you made me laugh today…I guess that’s kinda weird huh? I laugh because I’m not sure where people get the idea that they are such a big deal. Let me guess, this person is also a “social media expert” as well….(again I’m guessing here, but that’s the way it usually happens).
It is so frustrating to me when that sort of thing happens (been right there with ya)…especially when you KNOW that a relationship would be of benefit to both parties. As you said, social intelligence, in my opinion, is the SINGLE most critical skill in both personal and business relationships.
I could care less about the number of followers I have or anyone else else has for that matter, what I care about is do we have common ground, are you someone I would like to get to know better, are you someone that I can help and serve at some point?
Nice wake up call for some:-)
Warmly,
Danielle
It’s interesting to read that you have such problems, even having reached your level of success. I’ve always considered snobbery a sign of insecurity. Maybe this person just needs to brush up on etiquette; but of course it’s pretty well established that one of the key benefits to social media is not just the fact that you can promote yourself, but that you get to interact – have two-way communication. The “snobs” are missing out on potentially valuable feedback, insight and camaraderie.
As someone just starting out (or more accurately, just coming out from behind my screen), I’ve been really impressed by the friendly responsiveness of some pretty popular and successful folks.
Oh Shannon, what a great post and Leesa, I love your comment!
So my first sinful curiosity is wanting to know who it is (bad!!!) but I can let that go.
Leesa’s 3 strikes approach is a good one because you never know if the person is inundated with messages or offline or what. So I ALWAYS give the benefit of the doubt. After several tries, I just put it in the “no mojo” pile. If it was meant to be, it would have happened.
But in defense of people who are overwhelmed and inundated with way more messages than the brain can handle, I totally understand how it can get crazy with so many people wanting your time or attention. In fact, just today I found a direct message from someone who wanted to chat with me… someone I think is really cool… and it was 3 weeks old and I hadn’t responded. Eeek! I hate when that happens but there were about 20 zillion other things vying for my immediate attention when her dm came in. I totally spaced. I hope she doesn’t think I’m a social media snob!!
So I sent her a little note saying sorry and that I’d love to connect. A lot of times if someone doesn’t hear from me, they’ll grab an email address from my website and I’ll get word of it that way. (Usually in the form of a gentle nudge from my VA! )
But more than anything, this is what I’m gleaning from your experience:
You’re getting the message loud and clear here- this obviously would NOT be a good person to connect with AT THIS TIME. Maybe in the future it will get easier or be more effortless, but for now it’s not. Trust your intuition. Know when to move on. Too much time wasted chasing isn’t becoming to any of us.
Nancy