Comments by Kevin Hudson Subscribe

On Is Your Social Marketing Just Tennis In The Dark?

Hey Joe, 

thanks for reading, and taking the time to add a comment. Greatly appreciated. 

I totally agree with you. The first thing most social users of a business nature think of is "how I can I use social media to carry on plugging my messages and products"...most likely from an outdated marketing plan.

What many people overlook is that the game, and the mindset you need in order to play it, have completely changed...and so have the other participants and audience members.

get the mindset right, and the game is fun and fruitful.

On Are Personas Useful in Social Strategy Anymore?

Awesome post Rohn.

I think customer personas are going to be a big thought area in 2013.

The problem, from my personal experience, is that some companies tend to see personas as their actual customers, and therefore they neglect the one-to-one conversations and all that comes with it, such as learning the individual characteristics and differences...even names. I think the main reason for this is down to industrial era thinking of efficiency and productivity. - a common problem in a lot of businesses it would seem. Yes, it's harder for bigger businesses, but I see a lot of small businesses taking a big business approach to the use of customer personas - becuase they see it as an easy option.

I think small local businesses can almost definitely do without personas - they need to be going back to basics. Sort of 1950's local shopkeeper mentality, where they know every person in great detail. And to some extent, I think all businesses need to have some element of this mentality. This should be the starting point, and only the learning journey can tell a business what's next.

It's an awesome discussion that you raise, and I think it's a topic that is no longer a 100% requirement...so long as you have a truly caring customer culture within your business. 

On 3 Actions to Try Instead of Begging for Facebook “Likes”

Hi Keri, 

I totally agree that we all start somewhere, and it is up to the professionals in the industry to move this starting point to a better place. Like you mentioned, lessons should tune this out...but only if the lesson leader tunes it out. Unfortunately I know a few that actually advocate constant asking (begging) for likes and follows etc.

I love how your page is being described as a party. The word social is 99% of the time associated with the word fun, something which the vast majority of businesses struggle to wrap their head around - probably because they are only focusing on the word "media".

Keep up the awesome work as party host! 

Thanks!

On 3 Actions to Try Instead of Begging for Facebook “Likes”

Hi Chelsea, 

Yeah that's a fundamental rule of social media use. Imagine that it's a dinner party. You want to get to know the people around the table first, their likes, dislikes, problems etc etc. Then when you have a greater understanding of their situation, and they have more trust in you, you can join the conversation - but more importantly you can add value. This way they enjoy your company and are more likely to stay at the table longer...and take your number at the end of the night to continue the relationship beyond the dinner party. 

Engagement via social media really is as simple as that (despite many efforts to complicate it). 

Thanks for subscribing to my blog! Please keep in touch and let me know how your studies are progressing. 

Thanks!

On 3 Actions to Try Instead of Begging for Facebook “Likes”

Hey Sergey, 

Thanks for reading first of all! 

It is extremely hard to build an audience, and even harder to build an active community. But, it is a journey, not a campaign, and journey's are far more exhilerating and laden with benefits/fun/excitement than short campaigns. 

The beauty and awesomeness of social media is that it's a journey. Embrace this fact and you will create a new mindset that will allow you to see the road ahead, and what you need to do, more clearly. The hardest part of any journey is the beginning, stepping into the unknown - don't rush it, find your way, meet awesome people, and be part of awesome experiences. The worst thing that can happen by treating social media as a journey is that you will learn - and that's what growth is all about.

Thanks!

On Three Business Factors that Prevent You from Social Media Success

I think you've absolutely nailed it with the 3 reasons you write about here! 

Great read.

On Social Networking Isn't About Connecting...It's About Staying Connected

Hey there, 

Firstly, thanks for taking the time to read and comment on the article. Hugely appreciated! 

I completely agree with you regarding your "process" point. Within all size businesses processes are important, especially in the fast paced and unpredictable business world we operate in today. Social engagement (in fact all social activity) cannot be a 100% ad-hoc element of business, because that's when mistakes are made, opportunities missed etc. 

I'd say of all the tips (including my 3) the greatest  and most important one is that every brand (and brand ambassador) must CARE. They must care enough to create and stick to processes, care enough to engage with customers, care enough to take the time to have a conversation even if it doesn't lead to an immediate sale...


Thanks for getting in touch! I'm going to take a read of your article right away. 

Thanks!

On Social Networking Isn't About Connecting...It's About Staying Connected

Hey Katia, 

Thanks for reading and responding! Much appreciated. Yeah I must admit that's one of my favourite points to get across to clients. In the "social" world caring is a necessity, as caring is a social action/feeling. 

Thanks! 

Kev

On Social Networking Isn't About Connecting...It's About Staying Connected

Hey, thanks for reading and supporting my article here!

I'll be sure to check out Engagio.

Thanks.

On Social Networking Isn't About Connecting...It's About Staying Connected

I love that comparison! It is incredibly humbling and a source of pride, thank you! 

And thanks for taking the time to read and comment on this article too. Hugely appreciated!

On Surprise! Social Technology Still Needs People

Awesome article! I think the title itself is fantastic, and is a great message all on its own.

On Quite Possibly The Worst Social (Media) Tactic...And How To Improve It.

Hey Ben, thanks for commenting, much appreciated! 

Like Kent, you're comment is absolutely spot on in my opinion. Too many business people try and force others to where they want to be, but social media have developed as a result of this "business bullying". Businesses have to realise that social media buying cycles are longer (due to greater awareness of information etc) and based almost entirely on trust and influence... and these take time, and have to be achieved where the consumer feels comfortable. 

Keep up the unfollowing of the spammers, your time is too precious for them to constantly interrupt it. 

Speak soon. Thanks!