What type of Social Networking animal are you?

Just a bit of fun for this instalment – all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. (Sorry… is that Jackism or is it being Jackist?)

I have listed eleven possible SN characters this month based on animals. Please add more or feel free to amend the descriptions. I will not censor contributions (but will edit offensive language or inappropriate suggestions).

I’ll repost a consolidated list in November. And whoever my wife thinks has made the best contribution will get a FREE bottle of Champagne from us, anywhere in the world, so Americans don’t bottle out!

Do I have high hopes? Of course I do! Let’s make the list definitive, if it doesn’t achieve a Wiki entry I’ll be really disappointed. It’s up to us… Please distribute the link across your social networks.

1. Owls – good sources for advise and wisdom
2. Parrots – only pass on links or repeat what others say
3. Rabbits – only purpose is to offer sex online
4. Foxes – networkers with a hidden agenda
5. Vultures – prey on the vulnerable through scams and cons
6. Meercats – self-appointed police, report abuse & online dangers
7. Puppy Dogs – desperate for any kind of friends or online connections
8. Hyenas – only in it for the laugh
9. Gorillas – those who indulge in cyber-bullying
10. Elephants – individuals who remember where everything is online
11. Tigers – always up for a fight or debate

Please respond with your ideas through this blog so I can keep it all together. It would be a difficult to track everything through LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, etc.

Thanks and have fun!

Lead a horse to water AND make it drink!

I love my customers – don’t you? But sometimes, just like a parent, you have to enforce a little discipline.

Like children, they can become easily distracted. They start focussing on the wrong things (think they know better) and before you know it innovation and performance starts to lag. There is nothing worse than conducting an SN strategy meeting (where everyone leaves fired-up and totally bought-in) only to return later and find that nothing has been done.

Customers – With Social Networking, realisations are not accomplishments. You have to act upon your own realisations (and the concepts of your agency) and get stuff actioned quick – it’s going to take time, a few late nights and, maybe, some extra expense, but if you don’t test ideas how will you ever KNOW what works?

It’s simple really, trust your agency – assume they know what they’re talking about until proven otherwise. Don’t block their input or their suggestions – you’ve hired them for a cold objective eye.

And go with your instincts too. The human race still recognises honesty. I think.

Appointing an agency when you have no intention of taking their suggestions is like buying a dog when you want to bark yourself – it’s counter-productive.

Agencies – realise that many of your customers have actually built successful businesses without you. Be prepared to offer solid examples and data on why and where social networking works. Otherwise it’s just so much smoke and mirrors – the result – an increasing number of innoculised businesses will become resistant to hiring us.

For customers and agencies: (KISS)

(1) Communicate expectations with each other

(2) Identify vehicles and test small

(3) Build on results and widen engagement points

Apply this and you will both drink the waters of  success without shooting yourselves in the foot.