Social Media: One Size Does NOT Fit All

I received two Facebook friend requests this week from people I didn't know. I had at least a dozen common friends with each person, however, so I accepted both. Flash forward a couple days (or, for one of them, three hours) and they are but a friend memory.

First was a woman I'll call Ms. RT, because she updated her Facebook profile umpteen times a day, clearly using tools that simply posted Tweets to Facebook. After a day of "RT @Joe Schmoe..." posts, I ended my friendship with her. If I want to read Re-Tweets, or learn about Joe Schmoe, for that matter, I'll catch up with y'all on Twitter, thankyouverymuch.

Second was a guy I'll call Mr. Confusing, because he littered my Facebook newsfeed with posts on (true story!): social media, technology, emerging financial markets, rock bands, and the water crisis (among others). I'm guessing Mr Confusing was somehow trying to promote his expertise or his business. For that, I applaud him. But, for using a personal page to actively request my "friendship" in an effort to promote his business... when I don't even know him (annoying enough coming from those I DO know), well, Mr. Confusing and I parted ways within a few hours.

My point: social media is not a one-size-fits-all world. Ms. RT's automatic posting of tweets to Facebook felt like someone sending me a letter addressed "Dear PR Person" because she couldn't bother to personalize it. And, Mr. Confusing's business stuff might have actually caught my eye on Twitter, whereas it was inappropriate and aggravating on the feed of my personal Facebook page.

Different social media tools have different applications and each serves a specific purpose. If you utilize them all properly, you can expand your circle and grow your business. If you plow on blindly and use them incorrectly, you may lose "friend"ships (and possible business relationships/opportunities) before they even begin.

If you are a do-it-yourself-er, there are some great tools out there to educate you (I recommend mashable, for one; or search #smm on twitter for a variety of info and tips); if you need more help, give Miamore a shout (or an email, or a Facebook message, or a Tweet...!)