I'm a big fan of Tavis Smiley on PBS. He does great interviews and recently interviewed fashion designer - Kenneth Cole. This interview was interesting to me because they were discussing the impact of social media on their businesses.

During the interview, Tavis asked Kenneth Cole how social media had impacted his business and his brand over the years. Tavis said, "Like it or loath it, you cannot avoid social media anymore."

Cole said it had not only impacted his business but the way business is done in general. We communicate differently. We interact differently. And the customer is in control of the process now.

Everybody is empowered and everybody can impose their viewpoints upon the universe. People now have the power, now more than ever, to guide buying decisions. These decisions are no longer left to the elite few.

Customers are having a dialogue now with each other and with businesses. If you are a business owner, you must be part of that dialogue or that conversation.

You have to engage your audience. You have to listen well and you have to respond well.

Social media is really branding you and your business or your services. And branding takes time.

There are three things you need to have success with social media and none of them involve technology or knowledge of technology.

You need:

1. Discipline. The discipline to do what needs to be done on a daily basis to maintain your presence on all your social media. And if you are doing it the right way, that means 30 minutes or less a day. Focus on what needs to be done and do it.

2. Patience. You will not see results overnight, but you will see results over a period of months. You may say that is too long, but consider the alternative if you choose to delay getting involved with social media.

3. Perseverance. The emotional strength to see it through to the end. It's difficult for business owners to handle doing something that does not show immediate results.

DO NOT think you can avoid using social media. Your competition is doing it and if you are not using social media strategies in your business, you will be left behind. It's that simple.

 

To Your Success,