Comments on: THE “DOG LICKING ITSELF” SCHOOL OF SOCIAL MEDIA http://www.brianbuchanan.org/2010/01/11/the-dog-licking-itself-school-of-social-media/ An Indie Musician's Guide to World Domination Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:34:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: asdf http://www.brianbuchanan.org/2010/01/11/the-dog-licking-itself-school-of-social-media/comment-page-1/#comment-779 asdf Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:00:39 +0000 http://www.brianbuchanan.org/?p=39#comment-779 i am addicted to farmville i am addicted to farmville

]]> By: Bruce http://www.brianbuchanan.org/2010/01/11/the-dog-licking-itself-school-of-social-media/comment-page-1/#comment-329 Bruce Sat, 22 May 2010 07:04:07 +0000 http://www.brianbuchanan.org/?p=39#comment-329 Absolutely Roy. There's no substitute for the power of word-of-mouth. I know that I personally am MUCH more likely to take a recommendation from a friend than an ad or website. That's part of the reason social networking platforms can be such a powerful sales tool: if you can make your audience feel more like "friends" than customers, they'll be more receptive to your recommendations - even if you're just "recommending" your own products! Absolutely Roy. There’s no substitute for the power of word-of-mouth. I know that I personally am MUCH more likely to take a recommendation from a friend than an ad or website. That’s part of the reason social networking platforms can be such a powerful sales tool: if you can make your audience feel more like “friends” than customers, they’ll be more receptive to your recommendations – even if you’re just “recommending” your own products!

]]> By: brianhaggis http://www.brianbuchanan.org/2010/01/11/the-dog-licking-itself-school-of-social-media/comment-page-1/#comment-7 brianhaggis Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:30:32 +0000 http://www.brianbuchanan.org/?p=39#comment-7 Agreed, Tina. These platforms are at their strongest when they're SOCIAL networks - when you're actually interacting. The more you can do to streamline your online presence towards whichever networks you're really active on, the better. But it's like I said - you're better off avoiding some platforms completely than signing up and letting them decay. A stalled profile can hurt you more than help you, and you've given a few more reasons for sure! Agreed, Tina. These platforms are at their strongest when they’re SOCIAL networks – when you’re actually interacting. The more you can do to streamline your online presence towards whichever networks you’re really active on, the better.

But it’s like I said – you’re better off avoiding some platforms completely than signing up and letting them decay. A stalled profile can hurt you more than help you, and you’ve given a few more reasons for sure!

]]> By: brianhaggis http://www.brianbuchanan.org/2010/01/11/the-dog-licking-itself-school-of-social-media/comment-page-1/#comment-5 brianhaggis Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:22:50 +0000 http://www.brianbuchanan.org/?p=39#comment-5 Absolutely Roy. There's no substitute for the power of word-of-mouth. I know that I personally am MUCH more likely to take a recommendation from a friend than an ad or website. That's part of the reason social networking platforms can be such a powerful sales tool: if you can make your audience feel more like "friends" than customers, they'll be more receptive to your recommendations - even if you're just "recommending" your own products! Absolutely Roy. There’s no substitute for the power of word-of-mouth. I know that I personally am MUCH more likely to take a recommendation from a friend than an ad or website. That’s part of the reason social networking platforms can be such a powerful sales tool: if you can make your audience feel more like “friends” than customers, they’ll be more receptive to your recommendations – even if you’re just “recommending” your own products!

]]> By: Jett http://www.brianbuchanan.org/2010/01/11/the-dog-licking-itself-school-of-social-media/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Jett Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:48:05 +0000 http://www.brianbuchanan.org/?p=39#comment-4 While services like Ping.fm are certainly invaluable for saving time and saving face on all of one's social sites, there is a suggestion to be made, if I may play Devil's Advocate. To the average reader, yes, it does appear that one is taking the time to stay on top of all their updates, and yes, it can become apparent that it is being done with a broad brush. This is completely fine if your reader prefers to just check Facebook over Twitter, or what have you, to get their update and keep on trucking. However, if you are going to utilize said brush, it would be wise to make sure that you have your notifications set up to be aware of contact *from* your readers. Sure, a lot of what you would get may be random comments (and hopefully accolades) that don't necessarily require a response, but it could become very frustrating if your new follower is making valid inquiries to learn more about you but is never getting a reply. I've seen sites where there are multiple people asking varied questions with no answer, and it makes it plain as day that while the owner is updating, they are not periodically perusing said site. To me, at least, this neglect, if left unchecked, can eventually scream "abandoned" almost as loud as if there were no activity whatsoever, and possibly be a turnoff for the reader. It may reek of the owner having too much of a me-complex while seemingly not caring about what is happening on the receiving end. Of course, having to check all of the replies could have you back to square one when it comes to taking time to individually check each site, but I believe there are platforms out there that allow you to pool your responses, as well. Perhaps, if the task still seems overwhelming, someone can be designated to monitor incoming communication and keep an eye on what requires attention. Maybe there's a site of yours out there that has someone blasting you on a regular basis... Whether the readers buy into it or not, the activity is a turnoff to those readers and simultaneously is doing a disservice to your reputation, all unbeknownst to you... Something that could be kept in check with a little drive by every once in a while. All this said, I'd like to point out that your band is certainly an exception. You have done a fantastic job of not only personally updating your fan base on a regular basis, but personally making the connections that allow that base to branch out and really feel like they are part of your team. This, of course, creates a sort of brand loyalty, full of listeners who will practically do whatever you ask them to to lend a hand in your promotion. It all boils down to the basic golden rule of running a business - Excellent customer service is the key to success. For any artist in any medium, if you are attempting anything more than producing work for a hobby, you are essentially running a business. Take the time to make it worth your while. Keep up the great work. I look forward to reading more. While services like Ping.fm are certainly invaluable for saving time and saving face on all of one’s social sites, there is a suggestion to be made, if I may play Devil’s Advocate. To the average reader, yes, it does appear that one is taking the time to stay on top of all their updates, and yes, it can become apparent that it is being done with a broad brush. This is completely fine if your reader prefers to just check Facebook over Twitter, or what have you, to get their update and keep on trucking. However, if you are going to utilize said brush, it would be wise to make sure that you have your notifications set up to be aware of contact *from* your readers. Sure, a lot of what you would get may be random comments (and hopefully accolades) that don’t necessarily require a response, but it could become very frustrating if your new follower is making valid inquiries to learn more about you but is never getting a reply. I’ve seen sites where there are multiple people asking varied questions with no answer, and it makes it plain as day that while the owner is updating, they are not periodically perusing said site. To me, at least, this neglect, if left unchecked, can eventually scream “abandoned” almost as loud as if there were no activity whatsoever, and possibly be a turnoff for the reader. It may reek of the owner having too much of a me-complex while seemingly not caring about what is happening on the receiving end.

Of course, having to check all of the replies could have you back to square one when it comes to taking time to individually check each site, but I believe there are platforms out there that allow you to pool your responses, as well. Perhaps, if the task still seems overwhelming, someone can be designated to monitor incoming communication and keep an eye on what requires attention. Maybe there’s a site of yours out there that has someone blasting you on a regular basis… Whether the readers buy into it or not, the activity is a turnoff to those readers and simultaneously is doing a disservice to your reputation, all unbeknownst to you… Something that could be kept in check with a little drive by every once in a while.

All this said, I’d like to point out that your band is certainly an exception. You have done a fantastic job of not only personally updating your fan base on a regular basis, but personally making the connections that allow that base to branch out and really feel like they are part of your team. This, of course, creates a sort of brand loyalty, full of listeners who will practically do whatever you ask them to to lend a hand in your promotion. It all boils down to the basic golden rule of running a business – Excellent customer service is the key to success. For any artist in any medium, if you are attempting anything more than producing work for a hobby, you are essentially running a business. Take the time to make it worth your while.

Keep up the great work. I look forward to reading more.

]]> By: E Roy Ward http://www.brianbuchanan.org/2010/01/11/the-dog-licking-itself-school-of-social-media/comment-page-1/#comment-2 E Roy Ward Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:29:18 +0000 http://www.brianbuchanan.org/?p=39#comment-2 Brian, Long before all the media blitz,telagraph, telephone ,telegram,television, etc, there was teleperson (word of mouth)and it is still a very powerful tool, but unmeasurable. I wonder how many people found out about ETH or facebook from friends. I saw ETH in person in Greensburg, Pa a couple of years ago and have created more than a dozen fans by word and they others.I'll bet at least half of the fans find you this way, not by searching web sites. That being said,the web sites still keep up the interest with news and personal commentary and keeps us in touch. And you do a very good job of that. E Roy Ward Brian,
Long before all the media blitz,telagraph, telephone ,telegram,television, etc, there was teleperson (word of mouth)and it is still a very powerful tool, but unmeasurable. I wonder how many people found out about ETH or facebook from friends.
I saw ETH in person in Greensburg, Pa a couple of years ago and have created more than a dozen fans by word and they others.I’ll bet at least half of the fans find you this way, not by searching web sites. That being said,the web sites still keep up the interest with news and personal commentary and keeps us in touch. And you do a very good job of that.
E Roy Ward

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