Social media isn’t a walled garden

Fifth in a 7-part series

I’ve been trying out Klout on the advice of an article I read that said I had to be there. In the month I’ve been signed up, I’ve seen my score creep up a little as all the various network activities are monitored and scored. I’ve watched as it gives little credit for things I think should score higher, and award more credit for things I think were not as worthy.

Then my posting rate slowed.

Cue ominous music from the orchestra pit, signaling sure and imminent social media death.

This only caused a slight dip in the progress of my score, but I’ve realized a few things.

1.    Never let a day go by without posting something.

2.    If you don’t engage, people don’t engage in return.

3.    Tweeting counts as posting.

I’ve never used Twitter anywhere near its potential. I over-share, over-write (yes, I mean that I am verbose), and I can’t stand a platform where you don’t use punctuation. But, I’m learning.

I participated in a tweet-chat recently called #getrealchat. It was fun and informative, and I hope to do another soon. @MktgNutz hosts one every Tuesday at 9pm et.

The best quote of the night came from Andrij Harasewych. It was one of those things that you knew, the minute you read it, that it was pure genius in a short form.

“Social media isn’t a walled garden.”

Everyone who reads the sentence will come away with a different meaning, one that is personal for them. There is no right way to interpret it.

My a-ha was simple. My garden (social media profiles) must be tended to and weeded on a regular basis, needs lots of sunlight and only the best fertilizer, and is limitless.

I need to plant more seeds than what I expect to grow. Weaker ones will wither in the shade of the stronger plants. I need to engage it daily; studies have proven plants grow better when you talk to them.  Watering my garden by showering it with attention builds strong roots.

Lastly, the community garden, social media, isn’t just for experts or those who do it right. Anyone can participate and earn their green thumb in no time. The trick is not to get blinded by the sunlight in your eyes.

The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades! (Thank you Timbuk3)

Seeds, I need more seeds to plant in my garden. The last frost is over; the ground is getting warmer, and the time is ripe for planting. Now, where to find today’s equivalent of an old Burpee catalog?