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I Tweet Naked

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As you know, I take part in a variety of social media platforms.  Primarily, I live on the big three: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  Besides doing my own marketing, I spend a lot of time on these sites looking at what other people are doing.  I like to point out, and often blog about, companies or people who are doing good jobs.  Every so often I come across a piece of communication that is SO far from good I have to share it as a “What NOT to do”.

Most of the time these come in the form of Spam or auto-DM’s. This one is a little different.

On LinkedIn you join groups to talk to people in your industry, grow your connections and perhaps even make some business deals.  It is a great resource, but not a particularly sexy place.  It is not a place to go see naked photos (though you will find some in certain groups), or a place to meet a date (though sometimes this does happen).  LinkedIn is primarily a place for business.

One of the greatest values are the connections.  If you share a group with someone, you know you have a conversation-starter and a reason to add them to your network of business connections.  Once you are networked with that person, you can send them a message (unless you have the paid version of LinkedIn, in which case you do not have to be in their network).

I belong to a lot of groups and many people network with me.  If we share a group, you have a 99% chance of me saying yes.

So recently I received a LinkedIn email message from a photographer that simply said:

“you might have better luck if you were more pleasing to the eyes or dressed sluttier.”

So first off – Holy Inappropriate, Batman! I mean really, in what world is this considered an acceptable communication for a business platform (or any platform)?

Secondly, what did this guy think he was going to accomplish? Was I immediately supposed to be in awe of his amazing insight and start sending him naked photos? Then hire him to help me to be a more attractive slut?

And third, I am not unpleasant to look at. And luck has nothing to do with it. As a business professional, consultant and strategist it is not my goal to appear in any way other than how / who I am, and my expertise is the engine of my success.

Even if some business professionals prefer to tweet in the nude (and if I do, how will you know?)!

So here’s the lesson: don’t insult your audience.  If you are emailing, make sure there is some relevant purpose and intent behind it. You never know who your message is going to. You might just be burning a bridge you will later need.

Crowdsurf Naked!

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Crowd surf Naked

Crowdsurfing naked means being honest and asking tough questions. Do you use crowdsurfing as a strategy?

What is the old adage, “Want to do it better? Do it naked!”  …no, probably not an old adage in any society.  But this could be a new motto for social media and crowdsurfing.  The idea behind crowdsurfing is that you are asking a wide audience their opinion about a topic or decision. Kim Kardashian blew Matt Lauer’s mind on her interview with the Today Show when she talked about crowdsurfing decisions from nail polish color to branding her perfume.

“[Twitter] is like the best focus group.” – Kim Kardashian

Kim is not wrong. Twitter as a giant focus group – thousands of people who are all interested in the same thing, from every demographic and around the world, all willing and able to give you feedback and comments. All you have to do is ask.

How do I crowdsurf?

Easy. All you do is ask a question and request feedback, e.g., “Tell me what you think; boxers or briefs?” If it is something you want a lot of feedback on, I would recommend tweeting throughout the day or week, let people know you are trying to get opinions and even ask your followers to help.  The longer you run your crowdsurf the more information you will get. Of course this is within reason; if all you tweet about is your question, you are likely to bore or annoy people. So keep it interesting and relevant and mix it up a little.

Do you need a big following?

Actually no. Having a good size following definitely helps in any crowdsurfing endeavor but is not essential. You can use crowdsurfing as a way to poll people and a way to grow your network as long as you use hashtags strategically.  If you are asking a question about sex, you might want to use the hashtag #sexquestion.

Does majority rule?

There is no law that says you have to do what your crowdsurf results tell you. Ultimately it is up to you. But since you did take the time to get pubic opinion, you might want to take the advice of the majority.

Crowdsurfing can be a highly valuable tool. People use it for getting viewpoints on simple things like where to eat, or complex issues like personal branding and business strategy. The key to successful crowdsurfing is to do it naked; do it honestly and be forthcoming.  If you are going to crowdsurf, be willing to go with the crowd.  Ask the tough questions and you will get better feedback if you are inquiring about something real.

When you crowdsurf, your fans and followers feel involved in what you are doing. It lends an air of authenticity to your social media and helps create an emotional investment between you and your followers, all of which creates loyalty.

Try integrating crowdsurfing into your online strategy. You might be surprised by how helpful your fans and followers really are!