More on Social Media and Business Writing

The questions continue to pour in from clients about our recent newsletter topic: Business Writing and Social Media. It offered tips on where and how business people need to participate in social media to keep communication skills current. There is a current hype from so-called “social media experts” that social media is THE trend and THE way to communicate, and that’s overblown.

David Henderson, author of Making News in the Digital Era, summarized the most important considerations brilliantly:

At the core … more than ever before … I found that without the skills to clearly communicate ideas, anyone is easily lost in cyberspace, just making noise.

The quality and substance of what you have to say matters most of all.

There is no such thing as an expert in the world of online social media or online communications … because the space is too complex, too fluid and too expansive.

Social media is nothing more than a delivery tactic or tool. Strategic planning on ways to utilize social media for an organization is far more important. (NOTE: I believe this applies equally to business individuals, as well as organizations.)

I remember when eLearning was new and exciting, not the mainstream training delivery tool it is today. Initially, too much focus was on the technology, with not enough concern for the content transmitted. Now, we know that while it’s wonderful to train any time, place, and pace, what most matters is the content of that training.

What’s old is new again: social media is a fantastically disbursed communication medium. But, what most matters is the message and connection with audience. That’s the point. Plan your communication strategy, and use the social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, YouTube, Flickr) that best convey(s) your message to your audience. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid being pushed by “social media experts” that “if you’re not everywhere, you are no where.” (Yes, that is an actual tagline from one of these “experts.”)

First, be sure your idea is clear and well expressed. Then, use your chosen social media channels to widely transmit your message.

You can read more about David Henderson’s highly vetted insights, in his blog post: What Works, What Doesn’t Online.