You only need one key to open the door to your success, no need to try them all.
The problem with all these online tools to get our name out there, is that for many people, they serve the same purpose.
The day still has 24 hours. Don’t split your efforts.
It’s by persistence, not diversification, that you’ll thrive.
Sparked by The SAMBA Team
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hmm. This is somewhat of a toss up for me. On one hand, I do very much agree that specializing breeds success, but I also feel that combining several approaches toward your goal can and is a good tactic to approach a wider audience. Can this go TOO far? Of course, there are only so many hours in the day. The ‘key’ is figuring out what you’re good at and focusing on that, but you should never be afraid to try a new approach to see where it leads you.
I’d leave the widening to them. All these social media tools do is make it about the numbers. Focusing on one or two, lets you strengthen the real relationships, the one what will actually help you in some way.
Gary Vee once said that in order to be successful online, you should be on every single social network, getting people wherever they are hanging out.
I think I’m in the middle of you and him. I think that scattering your efforts works for a person like Gary Vee who is as tenacious as they come. But for most people, focusing in is where the real success is.
Because, the only value I see in using these different networks is that people have their main “thing” they use. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogging, etc. They have one that they focus on and you’ll want to get yourself over to their focus.
But, I’ve seen a lot of people just creating the same pockets of people across these different networks. The same people on Twitter are the same people who are becoming a fan on Facebook are the same connections on LinkedIn are the same commenters on blogs. In that case? I think it’s a waste of time. And, really, a waste of energy. Too much upkeep and no new reach.
To be honest, I don’t like to follow what people who succeeded tell me to do because it worked for them in the past. Everything changes, what made sense back then, may not make sense now. These tools keep appearing, so when do we stop? Should we be on each and everyone of them because there are people that we haven’t reached yet?
I say, leave the spreading to them. These tools are incredibly efficient, we just need to give them time and respect to those we connect with.
Another important point, I’m not for the numbers. Using many tools may increase your friends count, but that’s about it. Real relationships demand time, but they matter more.
If you’re limiting the platforms you use, your limiting the potential connections you could be making elsewhere. For example, I’ve made some great (professional) connections on LinkedIn that I might have never made if I spent ALL of my time on Twitter. Building relationships are important, yes, but I want to extend my reach and build as many relationships as I can.
But Matt, there’s something clear and important here: Linkedin and Twitter do not serve the same purpose to you. I have a Facebook account too. And a Linkedin. But one has to wonder if we use it because it’s so shiny and pretty, or if it’s because they can help us in some OTHER way. If they do serve the same purpose, then yes, I believe it’s a mistake to be on both of them.