How can we get more Likes, Followers, Fans, Connections, Circles?
Lately it seems that is all anyone cares about. Get those numbers up!
“If we get 1500 Twitter followers/500 Facebook fans/674 LinkedIn connections, things will be better! THEN we can rest easy!”
Numbers People are consumed by the “numbers game” on social media and ignore all else.
I understand why this happens. In our culture, more is always better – more money, more hours, more things, more awards. More = better in most people’s minds, and it translates over to the realm of social media.
Numbers People are so focused on moving on to the next thing, the next Like, the next follower, that they miss out on important interactions with current clients and customers.
Maybe you work with Numbers People. Maybe your supervisor is one. Or your Board members.
Numbers People have been known to say the following:
- We don’t need a strategy. Let’s just jump in and get as many fans as we can.
- We don’t have to measure our results – let’s just wing it. If we get enough Likes, we will know it’s working.
- Let’s just keep pushing our product, and our sales are bound to increase.
The real problem with Numbers People is that they are missing the point of social media. It’s not a race to the finish or a sprint – it’s an endurance race. He who dies with the most Twitter followers does not win.
The truth is that 50 dedicated Brand Ambassadors are worth more to your brand and your organization than 2500 “fans” who hide you in their News Feed or ignore every tweet.
Yes, cultivating the Brand Ambassadors may take more work than simply gaining new followers and fans (as shallow as they may be). But what will get you the best and most lasting result in the long run?
How do you deal with Numbers People? Do you agree or disagree that social media worth is measured in pure numbers? Anything to add? Please post in the Comments section and make sure to share this post with your friends! Thanks for reading!
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