The Magic of Media: Joy in the New Year
When the clock hits midnight on the last day of the year, enthusiasm is at its highest. Hope is in the air. Anticipation and excitement fill the streets and the champagne glasses overflow. This hope and enthusiasm fuel social media resolutions.
Happy Happy, Joy Joy
Happy Happy, Joy Joy
Everyone will tell you how easy it is to master social media. You can learn Pinterest in a weekend, take a seminar on Twitter, or watch YouTube videos on Facebook until the cows come home. And it’s that time of year when everyone wants to start their resolutions. Heck, you can certainly do your Social Media in 60 Minutes a Day if you really try. There are lots of reasons to be excited about this new year, with a few caveats.
RockStar Expectations
RockStar Expectations
I’m not going to be a Debbie Downer and tell you that you’ll never be a rockstar, but be a little easy on yourself and set your expectations accordingly. Getting 1,000 followers a month sounds good on January 1, but by March you might give up and do nothing at all.
Startup Mentality and S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Having lofty goals is often a by-product of startups. Having S.M.A.R.T. goals, which equals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Responsible and Time (completion date) enables you to reach those goals. As Allan Hirsch explains “we need to set goals using strategic planning” in his article As New Year approaches, don’t just set goals, set ‘SMART’ goals.
Out of the Ballpark
Out of the Ballpark
If you’re an entrepreneur, you want to hit grand slams. And the way to achieve that is to set yourself up for success by overdelivering. Test the waters with your social media before committing to something so huge that you’ll feel overwhelmed.
Stretch Goals
Stretch goals are demotivating. To my mind, they are more about reaching a monetary goal than about reaching smaller goals while having fun and being creative. In his excellent article, The Folly of Stretch Goals, Daniel Markovitch outlines how stretch goals sap intrinsic motivation.
Going Viral
Going Viral
There are ways to make that post or tweet go viral. That is, you can be poised for the opportunity but it usually happens when you least expect it. What is that saying–success is the intersection of preparation and opportunity. And if you’re successfully poised, that post may spread like a virus in ways that make you look good.
Be Open to Surprises
Be Open to Surprises
What I’d like for myself for this new year is to be open to the fun and excitement of social media. Every day, it’s possible to talk to real people online, connect with them, and perhaps meet them in real life. And although that’s tough to put into a resolution, being open to surprises is my new year’s resolution.
What’s Your Resolution?
Tell me in the comments!
No resolutions (never make them since there is too much pressure to keep them) but….
To help those looking to master (or at least properly use and benefit from) social media, I will be launching a series of 4 hr hands on social media workshops starting in January!
Very excited.
Hi Robert,
Those classes sound like a lot of pressure to me! Happy New Year to you.
Carol
Being open to surprises is a good thing. Social media changes a lot but spontenaity is what helps us connect and be human. Great post.
Hi Bridget,
Yes, and I’m surprised by what people say and do every day. Yes, there’s spam, but there is also a lot of generosity out there. And friendships that make you want to get up in the morning, or on a new year and do it all again! People like you, for instance!
Thank you for your constant support and friendship. You mean so much to me.
Sincerely,
Carol
Oh man, I knew you were awesome, but a Ren and Stimpy reference?! I think 1 in 10 people I know probably know what that cartoon was. Way ahead of it’s time!
Oh yeah, and your post is awesome too lol. BUT REN AND STIMPY MAN OMG!!
But I’m seriously here—my resolution is to get back on top of my personal accounts. Wish me luck!
Thank you, Adam.
“It’s all so clear to me now… I’m the Keeper of the Cheese, and you’re the Lemon Merchant.”
Yes, Ren and Stimpy are the best!
Best luck getting on top of your personal accounts. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy.