Are you intimidated by social media? Are you intimidated by large parties?
I honestly miss shit like this….SO MUCH
I have a sense there might be some overlap here.
Imagine that you show up to a decent sized party. The host is someone you know well, but they’re busy, you know, HOSTING.
You recognize a few other folks, but no one you’re super close to, so you kinda wander around hoping to run into someone. You don’t talk to anyone, and you feel rather awkward that no one is talking to you.
Then you get yourself a glass of Merlot and mosey over to the buffet table for something to do.
While you’re shoving your fifth wedge of brie into your mouth, an attractive woman tries to start a conversation, with something like “Oooh, brie! Is it good?” Not the greatest opening line, but it’s what she’s given you to work with.
Instead of returning this weak volley, you pretend your mouth is too full to respond, and nod your head vigorously, before spitting some cracker crumbs while asking them where the bathroom is.
Why did you come to this party again? Was it because you felt like you should? Or did you genuinely hope that you’d have a good time?
Well, friend, this party is called social media.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS A PARTY
—and mostly, people go to parties to have a good time.
To hang out with their friends
To relax and have fun
To meet new people
But just being at the party doesn’t guarantee that you’ll have a good time.
You’ve got to be in the right frame of mind!
There’s no point in coming to the party unless you’re ready to get in there, dance, play some games, mingle and chat some people up!
You don’t have to be the girl dancing on the bar.
Or the person who hogs the karaoke stage all night.
Or the guy who argues with everyone about any topic.
In fact, it’s better if you aren’t.
But you also would do better to avoid being:
The person who ONLY talks to the friend they came with.
Or the girl who’s too busy texting her boyfriend all night to hold a convo.
Or that guy who showed up to one of my Halloween parties and watched movies with my cat all night.
Seriously, don’t be that guy.
SKOL!
The rules for owning a party and owning social media are the same:
Be yourself
People will gravitate toward you if they feel a connection, so that means putting out an authentic version of yourself
But be your best self
Think of it like being introduced to your new girlfriend’s group of friends for the first time—you want to make a good impression!
Present yourself well visually
When you are going to a party, you usually dress a bit nicer or spruce yourself up a bit. Make sure your social media profiles show you to your best advantage!
Interact with other people
Talk! Post! Interact with others’ posts! Lurking doesn’t lead to any good outcomes.
Have something to say!
Don’t be afraid to have opinions, but realize that they are simply that—opinions.
Give responses that are more than a smile and less than a monologue
People feel just as awkward if someone never replies at all as they do if someone never shuts up.
It’s all about engagement.
In order to be fully engaged, you need to be:
Posting your own content regularly, AND
Commenting more than one word on others’ posts
Every social media platform is going to be a bit different. Which platform you choose should really depend on your goals and how you engage most naturally, whether through photos, video, or just 140 characters of text. What you post and how you engage will differ depending on the platform.
Not all created alike…
Choose your social media platform to suit your goals.
Here’s my quick guide: If social media is a party, then:
Facebook is a large family reunion
Clubhouse has a private speakeasy vibe
LinkedIn is like going to a corporate company party
Instagram is a big house party filled with friends and strangers
TikTok might be the most like a summer concert and arts festival
And Twitter? I’m really not sure. To me, Twitter feels like a mosh pit, and I don’t enjoy it much.