10 Reasons You Should NOT Be on Social Media

[Kyle Lacy]

I have been researching, reading, and listening for awhile now to the small business world in regards to social media and blogging. There are plenty of business owners and professionals in the world who accept social media as a new form of communications... and plenty who do not.

I decided to write a small guide for business owners to gauge whether or not they should be in social media.


10 Reasons You Should Not Be on Social Media As a Business


1. You would rather not change your business model of communication. You are content with direct mail and email marketing. You are right, they will be around in 5 years.

2. The only computer you have in your office is the black and green screen MAC.

3. You purchased a dial-up modem to "save money."

4. You are still struggling with the reply and forward functions in e-mail.

5.You are convinced that the only people using social media are college kids and pot smokers.

6.You feel that the newspaper is still a valuable form of advertising.

7. You designed your logo in powerpoint or publisher and all brochures were designed in the same programs.

8. When asked about time commitment you whine about an extra 30 mins a day to grow your business.

9.Your website was designed pre-2005 and has not been updated.

10. You find that building "trust" in a marketplace is a waste of time.

If you fit any of the following criteria... do me a favor and stay off social media.

Can you think of anymore?

[Patrick Sullivan]

And even as we speak... From today's SANS Newsbytes:

--Twitter Scareware Attack
(June 1, 2009)
A scareware scam is spreading through Twitter. A message reading "Best
Video" contains a link that, if clicked, leads users to a site that
attempts to download phony security software known as scareware onto
their computers. Once a machine is infected, the malware tells users
that certain programs cannot be run because they are infected and offers
several different packages at varying prices for software that will
"clean" their computers of the infection.
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Twitter-Hit-With-Fake-Security-So..."


--British MP's Facebook Account Hit By Spam Scam
(June 1, 2009)
A British MP has expressed dismay that his Facebook account was
hijacked and used to send spam messages to 1,500 contacts. Michael
Fabricant's account has been suspended; the spam messages, which ask
the recipients to "Look at this," contain a link to a maliciously
crafted web page. Fabricant's Facebook account was restored after he
contacted one of the company's directors.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/01/mp_facebook_hack

But, as I said, this doesn't mean a company shouldn't adopt social media if it has figured out how to use it to support their business objectives (and determined whether it can in fact do that), and has figured out and adopted the security requirements appropriate to their business objectives for the technology (the cheapest time to do that, by the way, is at the very beginning- true for any adoption of new technology).

[Nicki Laycoax]

Please make sure that if you are using the internet or email in any way at all, that you have an anti-virus program on your computer. I use Avast, and highly recommend it.

[Brian Morgan - Video Production]

Above Quote:
"it seems fairly clear that the concept of the pot and the kettle is not a part of your repertoire, Chris"

lord, here we go again... ( just joking! )

[Nicki Laycoax]

Kyle, rather than staying off social media, I wonder if seeking a consultant for education and understanding of best practices would be a better option?

[George Roots]

I am curious what Lorraine and Amy Starks think on this subject... :)

[Amy Stark]

Hey George, thanks for asking. Twitter-and other social media platforms to some extent -are providing a sphere where global grassroots communication at the speed of light can occur for the FIRST time in the recorded history of our species. Sometimes I lament the fact that we get too caught up in the "how can we use social media to promote our business," or my favorite one of late , "twitter is not a self-sustaining platform because they don't have a a viable business model."

I further lament the fact that some people share un-educated opinions as if they're truth simply to stir the pot. Most of the time the effect is innocuous, however sometimes this uneducated blather poisons the well, and gives nay-sayers a place to hang their hat. It can retard acceptance of the INEVITABLE, and hold entire regions back from progressing. ALL technology goes through 3 phases: They're first rejected, Then they're accepted, and finally EXPECTED (e.g. voicemail and microwave ovens). Social media will follow the same path.

An executive from an ad agency here in town said a few months ago, "Twitter is the most useful WASTE of time, ever." This statement was repeated at other events-by otherwise intelligent people- in effect tainting perceptions and allowing people who are resistant to change to bury their heads in the sand.

So that's what I think, George, aren't you sad you asked? =)

[George Roots]

Oh I love it! It sounds so Mark Antony 'esque'. Almost Shakespearean

thank you

[Amy Stark]

If it makes you feel superior to think I called YOU un-educated go for it! However I was referring to your OPINIONS RE: social media platforms --which are based on such limited exposure that they ARE un-educated, Chris. Sorry to break the news. You may be highly educated in other fields, but where social media is concerned you argue from a place of limited knowledge.

I'm going to unfollow this conversation, now, to let you have the last word, Chris, because I know how important that is to you. =) One last thing before I focus attention elsewhere; above you typed, "I just don't know that it will ever get to that point". Care to bet on it, Chris? Oh, nevermind, I doubt Gutenberg's movable type will catch on either.

[Nicki Laycoax]

Where exactly are these rules of name calling?

[Nicki Laycoax]

I must have missed that in my 18 months on Smaller Indiana... Oops! Glad you are here to remind us, Chris!

[Mike Seidle]

Chris - You are once again waiting for your ship to come in at the airport. Social media is about as mainstream as Google's new-fangled search thingie they put on the internet about ten years ago.

[Nicki Laycoax]

1. You would rather not change your business model of communication. You are content with direct mail and email marketing. You are right, they will be around in 5 years.
~~~~~The mixture of different mediums, including social media, is great for marketing purposes. It hits different demographics, helping spread your message better.


2. The only computer you have in your office is the black and green screen MAC.
~~~~~Computers can be purchased at pretty low costs these days... :)

3. You purchased a dial-up modem to "save money."
~~~~~If you did purchase a dial-up modem, you will probably get irritated rather quickly the speed of your internet, and might give up too quickly on your social media tactics.

4. You are still struggling with the reply and forward functions in e-mail.
~~~~~Keep working at it. You'll get it!

5.You are convinced that the only people using social media are college kids and pot smokers.
~~~~~There are a bunch of college kids and I am certain that there are plenty of pot smokers online. However, there are a number of companies that are successful with the use of social media. Sprint, Dell, Comcast, WalMart, Nike, etc...

6.You feel that the newspaper is still a valuable form of advertising.
~~~~~The newspaper is a valuable form of advertising if newspaper readers are your target market.

7. You designed your logo in powerpoint or publisher and all brochures were designed in the same programs.
~~~~~If your logo was designed with these programs and you are concerned with the cost of upgrading your logo and marketing materials, check with freelancers. There are several talented ones out there looking for work!

8. When asked about time commitment you whine about an extra 30 mins a day to grow your business.
~~~~~Yes, it can be time consuming if you don't set a schedule and have a plan. Think about what your goals are, and then put a strategy in place. If it works best, do it over your morning coffee break while you're reading the paper or your favorite magazine! Post information about your industry that will help you be known as an expert in your field.

9.Your website was designed pre-2005 and has not been updated.
~~~~~I'd be happy to design a new site for you that will incorporate all of your social media activity.

10. You find that building "trust" in a marketplace is a waste of time.
~~~~~This one is one that I can't touch... :)