Audience: Engaging with Techies
Perhaps you read my earlier blogpost about common issues with audiences, and how to figure out who your audience is on Social Media. Or maybe you’re just wondering how you, as a non-technical social media manager, will be able to talk to those more technically savvy than yourself. Have no fear: you have Google. Not only that, but you have the ability to discuss your own niche, and are a subject matter in your own right. Here are some other ideas that may work for you.
Ask Questions
People love to talk about themselves, and techies are no different. So let them shine by asking questions about their areas of expertise. Listen and then ask more questions. Dale Carnegie suggests that “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” Have you found that to be true? Did you see what I did there? lol
Do Your Homework
If you need to engage more with techies, you can study what they study a little. On social media, see what your favorite techies are reading, tweeting, and discussing, and do Google searches on those topics. Read a little bit every day. I like TechCrunch, GigaOm, and VentureBeat at the moment.
Flattery Will Get You Everywhere
Without going completely overboard, why not show your favorite techy a little love by adding them to a list of your favorite people on Twitter, reposting their content, or commenting on their blog? Everyone loves attention. And if you don’t use lists (yet) you might want to read about Twitter Lists for the Power User.
Find Something in Common
Maybe you grew up in the same city, went to the same school, or like the same baseball team. Establishing some similar footing helps you gain rapport. Sharing your outlook on a technical subject or a newsworthy current event might also be a good topic of conversation.
Food, Weather, Pets
These are all easy topics to start a conversation. I often like to comment on something in a person’s profile. They might have a beautiful picture of flowers, or some funny expression that you’ve never heard before. Ok. That’s all I’ve got. Did I leave anything out?
Those are fantastic tips for starting a conversation both online and in person. It’s easy to be intimidated by the well-educated, that’s for sure.
Hi Bridget,
In my opinion, techies appreciate engagement even more than the general population. And maybe that’s because of the “intimidation factor.” People are always afraid of saying something stupid in front of someone with all the “alphabet soup” after their name (M.A.s, Ph.D.s, etc.).
Thanks for the comment!
Carol Stephen, M.A., Ph.D, B.S. (NOT!)
Good tips for me today as I’m going to be live tweeting the Apple announcement. Definitely going to be using the “question asking” technique to try and get some engagement! Thanks for the advice Carol.
-E
Hi Eric,
That’s great about your live tweeting the Apple announcement. I love that idea! How fun is that?
Thanks for stopping by!
Carol
“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” This is true in traditional networking as well. Learn to gain through giving.
Hi Allen,
Yes, it’s true in gaining friends, traditional networking, or social networking. I like that: “gain through giving.” What a perfect focus for the time leading up to Thanksgiving.
Thank you for the comment.
Sincerely,
Carol