A man I respect as a peer and pal is a social media leader and A(mazing) lister who will deny that last descriptor as a slight, but he carries enough clout that he has deleted his and also his Google+ profile.
His hit my in box over the weekend, and I was fascinated with his announcement that he had deleted his and was lamenting that Google required him to re-up his profile IF he wanted to use .
So, I got to thinking about social media leaders who take proactive steps to change it up. Remember the leaders who deleted all their Twitter followers ? That was all the rage for awhile with everyone talking about what that meant, why they did it and what influence it had.
That said, I got to thinking about what it means to be in social media marketing. Each of us engages with the next new channel. I kicked and screamed all the way to Pinterest to fall in love and then have that love wane to zero after the legal problems came to light. But, I didn’t delete my profile…yet.
is someone I fully consider a leader in this space. I feel as if I know him extremely well, yet we’ve never met IRL or via Skype. I need to change that up. I remember when I started and I was in awe of his efforts with 12for12K.com.
And, we’ve f together, too. That makes us kindred . So, when I read yet again that Danny was justifying why he had deleted a profile after playing ball (he had met with some interesting obstacles and Wil E. Coyote shenanigans) I thought:
If you’re in social media, shouldn’t you have a Google+ profile? Then, I thought, Danny is now working for ; not driving his own company. Is that the reason he’s not as concerned with personal branding as before?
So as not to sideswipe Danny or speak on his behalf, I sent this post to him for his heads up in the hopes he would be able to shed some light on my curiosity. Let’s define what that curiosity means — it’s not gossip by any stretch; it’s learning.
Do I need to keep my Pinterest profile if I’m not going to be current or active? Do social media leaders have to engage on all the channels to show they know what’s hot? I seriously want to know the answers to these questions, and I’m hoping the king himself will help provide us with some insight…Danny?
(Thanks, Mr. Brown!) Danny Brown says:
“The way I look at it is this – does this platform really need to take up my time, and is it doing things at least in some right ways? When Klout first arrived on the scene, I was curious as I’m really interested in how messages are filtered through the channels, and what influence could mean for brands and business. Then I found out about their crappy privacy, their shady profile setting up and their inclusion of minors, and I deleted. It was simply a popularity tool as opposed to a true influence measure.
Now Google, with their Google+ platform, seems to want to follow the same path – force account creations, count “active users” as people who might click on G+ alerts in Gmail but never go through to the site, allow non-users to be emailed by their connections online to encourage sign-ups, etc. Its invasive marketing and so out of touch with Google’s lauded “don’t be evil” mantra. It may be a bit easier to take if the platform was good, but it’s such a stale experience compared to Twitter and Facebook (and, yes, you can say it’s down to the people you follow, but I followed some of the smartest folks around while their content was great, the user experience was still bland).
My time is very limited, due to professional and family commitments, so unless a platform stands out as being hugely effective, I won’t waste time on there. I’ve never felt the need to “build a personal brand,” as that always sounds forced and contrived. So not being on the “big platforms” doesn’t bother me too much. If I miss out, so be it – I’ll still prefer to be active on the platforms that matter to me, and for now that’s , Twitter and Facebook. Everything else is either a luxury I don’t need or a time suck that’s being hyped by those looking to push their own books, webinars and agendas.
My advice? Look at the platforms, evaluate your interaction and returns, and if they don’t seem to make sense, then spend your time where you’re more effective, both as a producer and a listener. That’s how you’ll get the results that matter.”
Social media profiles are only meant for people and brands who have already established their brand name and brand value in the market…and for the rest of them it the medium to follow them 🙂
@worli7 That’s an interesting way of looking at it! Thanks for saying, Worli. I have to differ on one little thing, though. I had a marginal brand prior to Twitter in 2009; those who knew me did. After becoming a Twitterholic (still am), my personal/professional brand has grown by leaps. If not for social media and the profiles I’ve created as well as my engagement on each (the core few), I would be invisible still.
It all depends how you want to be regarded — thought leader, influencer, follower.
@worli7 Hmm, I think I’d have to disagree here. 🙂
Social media allows you to spread your voice further, but you don’t need to have an established presence to benefit from it.
What is “an established brand” on social media, anyhoo? Go down your local high street and ask everyday people who Chris Brogan, Brian Solis, Mari Smith, etc, are, and you’ll get a blank look.
Online “fame” is no fame at all. 😉
I love Danny’s advice here. He doesn’t beat around the bush and he’s never cared about being popular (although that’s easy for an A-lister/ thought leader to say – hehe : )
Seriously though, this is good advice if you desire to make money. You might not be as popular in your own mind, but at least you’ll be more productive with your time.
Thanks for this post Jaymee!
@Mark_Harai That’s a theme, isn’t it? Productivity and time management…something we all need to learn to do better. Thanks for coming over, dear Friend! ~Jayme
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Hey, where did I get 2 “ee’s” in your name???
@Mark_Harai @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Dumbass… 😉
@DannyBrown @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing LOL! Miss you too bro!
@Mark_Harai Heh! I’ve been subtly writing my name whenever I can to let you know…but, no worries! Was cute.
@DannyBrown @Mark_Harai OMG. LOL.
@Mark_Harai That’s right, Mark! If you’re in the social media marketing world to make money, you’ve got to be engaging with your target audience wherever they are. For us, as with Danny, that’s on Twitter and Facebook, and now on Pinterest. Social media marketing is REALLY fun when your sales funnel is full of clients and customers you either engaged with or were connected to on the channels they’re hanging out on!
@Mark_Harai I’m as about A-list material as Dick Cheney… 😉
The funny thing about popularity? Do things the right way, you’ll be popular. It’s not rocket science…
@DannyBrown @Mark_Harai See? Toldja in the first sentence!
Excellent exchange here, Jayme! I love it. I have not deleted my Google + account, but I’m not really using it either, for much the same reasons Danny listed. I’d say my social clout (correct spelling, mind you) and my brand management and awareness are still pretty spot on. 🙂
However, if you are correct in what Danny mentions re: use of Google Analytics and G+, I won’t be deleting anytime soon. It makes me mad that there’s an unfair carrot held over our heads anytime something seems to veer off into orchestrated use. Wait, that’s business, right? We’re all enjoying MANY things online FOR FREE. The payment here is in what they ‘get’ from us in the way of information and data. That’s how we’re really paying, no?
Sorry for the ramble…limited on time, but not on thoughts! Heh!
@EricaAllison Hey there miss!
The analytics seems to have sorted themselves out now – however, I am using a cached page of my account access, so it may be that there’s still an issue. There’s definitely limitations at work, though – on my Android (new Galaxy Nexus), if i disable the G+ app I can’t use my Gallery app.
Wankers.
@DannyBrown Wankers, indeed.
@EricaAllison What is more troubling for me is recalling how Danny spent so much time trying to delete his profile (on Klout) and even had numerous conversations with the founders. To anticipate that type of difficulty makes me shudder as I can’t even manage this blog’s back end appropriately without messing something up.
Danny has amazing tech knowledge — shoot, he even redesigned his website yet again (and I loved the most recent design), and that’s where the line is for me and has always been.
Those who engage on these channels do better with this savvy. Look at Danny; he’s a spitting example. He’s wankers, too.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @EricaAllison I taught wankers everything they know about wanking. Except Google – they were taught by Dick Cheney.
This is my rule of thumb as well: “My time is very limited, due to professional and family commitments, so unless a platform stands out as being hugely effective, I won’t waste time on there.”
And what makes a platform effective for me? Our target audience for whatever OUR goals are has got to be actively engaging on the platform. G+ never appealed to our target audience, so while we built our profiles there and played around a bit to test the SEO factor, we don’t spend any time there. I’m certainly not going to go begging our audience to join us! I go where THEY are, not the other way around. 😉
Thanks so much for writing this, Jayme! And go, Danny!
@New England Multimedia Hi there Michelle,
Love this quote from you: “Our target audience for whatever OUR goals are…”. So many businesses get swept along by the evangelists pimping the platform du jour. Thing is, these evangelists are usually out to line their own pockets with a vested interest in the platform they’re pushing (webinars, books, etc).
Be right for you, not for the fanboys. 😉
@New England Multimedia Echo Danny here…love that you did the testing to uphold your decision with proof points not to be involved in G+. When I do go there to engage, I see a lot of heavy hitters playing the channel. Lots of good material being shared and little engagement besides one way — outbound.
Hey there Jayme,
Thanks so much again for inviting me to be part of this – really interested to see the responses you get, and if we’re just anomalies or whether more people are starting to back away from the hype of needing to be on every network around.
$47 premium webinars for the win!!!! 😉
@DannyBrown I was thrilled you took valuable time to respond; thank you so much. It’s a question people are probably asking a lot, but the only standard I’ve seen is yours! Kudos for being you and standing by your values, Danny!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Ha, my wife and kids wouldn’t let me do things any other way, miss. 🙂
See what happens when I lurk? @DannyBrown revamps his website, takes on the G machine to boot. How does one train attack sheep? (BTW Danny, love the infographic – that’s one I’ll be sharing.)
To answer your question Jayme, MMV. Like @EricaAllison I haven’t deleted any accounts, probably won’t. There are parts of G+ I like namely that – for now – it can’t be programmed or scheduled like other networks; but like Danny I find it (and FB) needing better GUI, something that I control to get more from what little time I have to spend. I don’t pay attention to Klout – except that it’s too oft bandied about by those who think it matters, therefore it warrants watching. Ditto Google+. I think @New England Multimedia Michelle nailed it: if your target audience is there, then go for it; see also @Mark_Harai and Danny on IF you see the returns on your time. (STILL holding out on Pinterest.)
One thing about success that I’m seeing; in the small biz circles I travel, no one’s heard of the so-called Internet famous or discusses these kinda issues; this is the insider ‘us’ to whom I always refer. But there’s also some barrier to entry, much like these circles and tribes. If you’re not a member of whatever popularity club your target deems credible, it’s that much harder to break through. For everyone who never Google’s a name or checks a LI profile, there’s a hiring manager or account leader who won’t jump without it. Back to your question: while I don’t care from ‘personal branding’ as such, I do need a findable, professional online presence – so I’m keeping what serves me best. Now, what do I do with FriendFeed? FWIW.
@3HatsComm @EricaAllison @New England Multimedia @Mark_Harai Oooh, great points all round – you should read Richard Becker ‘s post today, Why I Stopped Worrying About Being Batman:
https://www.richardrbecker.com/2012/04/branding-why-i-stopped-worrying-about.html
Fantastic piece on branding versus character, and makes a lot of salient points with regards this discussion. 🙂
@DannyBrown @EricaAllison @New England Multimedia @Mark_Harai Richard Becker Good read, thanks for sharing.
@3HatsComm It’s good to see you Davina – hope all is good in your world : )
@DannyBrown @3HatsComm @EricaAllison @New England Multimedia @Mark_Harai Richard Becker That is an awesome post by Richard Becker. Encourage everyone to take a look and NOT lurk like 3Hats did! Heh.
@3HatsComm @DannyBrown @EricaAllison @New England Multimedia @Mark_Harai Gosh darn those lurkers…now where the heck is my acronym dictionary; it seems I need it after not having regular doses of the Queen D.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Oh please, I barely used any. MMV = mileage may vary. You’ll thank me one day, learning all this code speak the kids use to text and chat. 😉
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing
Glad I’m not the only one scratching my head. @3HatsComm, can you please tell this too-lazy-to-look-it-up-herself-acronym-lover what MMV is (there’s your over-hyphenated phrase about a week late, Jayme!)?
@ShakirahDawud @3HatsComm Whew. There’s the support I was looking for! Thanks, Shakirah, hyphen queen!
or a time suck that’s being hyped by those looking to push their own books, webinars and agendas. – agreed and well said! Too many social marketers are hyping themselves and not their clients – if I were a company in need of hiring marketing it would be the ones who get results not the ones who are on every social platform known to mankind.
@donnaM13 Ha, you can tell a social media expert by the time they spend online all day as opposed to with their clients… 😉
@donnaM13 That’s hilarious. You know what? A primary client WANTS me to push the webinars on social channels! I make sure I’m doing it under their account and not mine!
The full disclosure aspect of client promotion on social media is also a consideration…peeps should let others know “this is a plug.” Something else I learned well from this guy right here…Danny!
Thanks, Donna! Great having you here.
I recently advised my blogging audience to do a social media audit. Including in that is deleting accounts. I know some people say you should have them for branding, but what is the point. If you aren’t using it then you are squatting on a service in which you will never check to see if someone contacted you. Your biggest fear that someone will nab your identity. There are certainly people who do it, but that is why I keep a listing of verified accounts that is easy for people to check.
The real pro is making sure my information is not out there on network where it doesn’t need to be. I just read a post about all the data Twitter knows about us. It is an awful lot. Facebook probably has much more than that. Google is already scanning all my emails to deliver me ads.
Why give yourself one more potential headache and more spam in your mail inbox.
@susansilver EXCELLENT counsel! Need to heed and draft a list, too. Can you say Posterous? I remember when Danny Brown quit his Posterous, too! Oy. I think I know too much about him. That’s freaking me out.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing That is kind of how I am with Steve Ruebel. He moved his blog to Tumblr and took a lot of heat for it. Many long time supporters were ticked that years of comments just disappeared.
Sometime it feels like relationships online are disposable. All you have to do is end your profile and you are gone. I hope things really aren’t that transient!
@susansilver Oh, man. This is getting into an area I’m passionate about. I’m like everyone’s mother; when you’re inactive, I start to tweet, ask others about your health, then I send email and then I’m calling your house.
If it wasn’t for Twitter, my life woulda been over in 2009; ALMOST literally.
I think I have to ponder what you said and raise this again in a post; just thinkin’ out loud; always dangerous! Thanks for that, Susan!
@susansilver @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing I lost a lot of respect for Rubel when he said he was giving up blogging to concentrate on Lifestreaming. And promptly moved to that well-known blog platform, Posterous. Riiiiight…. 😉
@susansilver There’s nothing worse than going to a social media profile being squatted on, and seeing it surrounded by Tumbleweeds. if anything, as opposed to making you look clever for securing your domain, it makes you look careless and not worth investing in to manage my social media needs.
RE. Facebook – they have TWICE as much information on users, intent, purchase power, etc, than the next provider (Google). Now THAT’s power… 😉
If I’d known G+ was locked into Analytics, I would never have signed up. Someone has to find these things out though, so thanks, Danny. Any further detail about that?
@ShakirahDawud Hi Shakirah,
I can now access my Analytics, so perhaps that was part of the deletion process? Although G+ (and its non-use) still messes up a lot of other Google apps (especially on Android), and the constant badgering to join G+ on every Google touchpoint is annoying as hell.
Great stuff to think about. Time and effectiveness. I, personally, just can’t get into Pinterest, for example, and frankly don’t have time. Google Plus, well, I am hoping it will continue in growth, as I like the engagement better. Only time will tell.
@upgrademycredit1 I’m struggling with the value of Pinterest, too. Then I think, well, what if a client should get into it and my profile was deleted? Sigh. I struggle with that.
Thanks for saying!
Time or lack thereof is why I didn’t comment yesterday. That is the number one challenge/concern in my life. I look at what I am doing and try to determine if there is a benefit/advantage to it or if it is a time suck.
There are lots of really fun time sucks out there but time is the one resource we rarely have enough of.
@TheJackB Exactly, mate, and the important time needs to be spent where it needs to be spent, as opposed to circle jerking your way up some bogus influence score or yet another social network…
This is interesting. I wanted to leave Klout but it is really hard. You can’t just delete/unsubscribe. So I ignore it. And when I left Facebook I could deactivate my account but I didn’t find a way to delete it completely.
But there are things you can do. I changed all my Facebook info into a fictitious profile though my friends know it is me. You can easily delete all your photos and content. But they exist somewhere in cyber space.
But should we care? Not sure. Most people don’t post stuff near and dear. I am ok with a dormant account. I have ones on myspace and friendster and other places. But maybe we should care?
@HowieSPM Hi mate,
They did include the opt-out option after receiving a bunch of negative backlash from bloggers about their crappy practices. But then they hid it away in the dark reaches of their account settings – more wonderful business approaches from them… 😉
The funny thing is, the majority of people that Klout would love to have using and promoting their service are the ones that see it as the joke it is. Irony – gotta love it!
I also have to agree with what Danny has said here Jayme and I also deleted my Klout profile entirely because I didn’t like their privacy issues either. I admit to signing up with Pinterest but am not a huge active user there because I prefer to be social on the networks that I enjoy being a part of and that are benefiting me.
I do personally believe in building your brand if you are here to build a business online but it’s also important to not spread yourself too thin either. We can’t be everywhere all the time so chose the ones you enjoy the most that are benefiting you and let everyone else do what’s best for them as well.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
~Adrienne
@AdrienneSmith So funny; just had a conversation about Pinterest being for girls. Spreading too thin is such a big deal, Adrienne. It’s what happens to us all, and then we pull back. For me, it’s time for a reset, and when you reach that point, that just means growth. Thank you for stopping in, Adrienne.
@AdrienneSmith Hi Adrienne,
I’m curious as to how successful you were at removing yourself? 8 months later, I’m still pestered on Facebook by their app, even though I’ve blocked access and revoked all permissions (even going as far as reporting them as spam).
They’re like a social media STD…
@Danny Brown @AdrienneSmith I was interviewed today by a national marketing magazine, and we were discussing which social networking channels I recommend. Got through them all with aplomb and then came to Facebook.
As a strategy, I want to know who’s doing business development with Facebook? Can mid-sized businesses compete there? I’m not sure any more. I’m disillusioned (never was truly illusioned after my entire life flashed in front of me) with the clutter there. I am interacting with my peers, friends and NO clients at all.
Without advertising, how can any business compete there? Time waste; at least Twitter banter is faster!