OK you all know I love you, right? Really and truly with all my heart. And because of that, I want you to present yourself in the BEST light possible. It’s what’s going to enable you to make the most money possible when using social media marketing for your business.
So today’s post could be considered “tough love.” You see, I really hate bad status updates. There are things I see regularly that make me shake my head and roll my eyes. So today, you’re going to see some real life examples of bad status updates I’ve seen go by in the last few days. Names have been removed to protect the guilty. Here they are, in all their glory!
p.s. Don’t let this be you!!!
Remember! Effective status updates engage people, ask questions about THEM, and provide information of value that people can use right now without spending a dime. Don’t try to pitch your products and opportunity directly from a status update. Save that for your opt-in areas. A status update is about building relationships and providing value.
Have you been guilty of any of the above? What are your thoughts on this? Share in the comments!
UPDATE: Here are a couple of links you may find helpful, based on questions in the comments below.
Examples of GOOD status updates, and how to write them well: http://www.jenfongspeaks.com/how-to-write-status-updates-that-dont-cross-the-line-into-spam/
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Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and insight. I have learned so much from you this past month – great content and follow-up links!
I LOVE THIS POST! Thank you for keeping it real and providing such great direction. You provide great guidence regarding social media and I am so glad I found this forum!
ALTHOUGH IM NOT ON FACEBOOK, THIS WAS REALLY GOOD INFORMATION!
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR IDEAS. THANKS SO MUCH!
You’re welcome Melissa! Thanks for commenting!
These status updates are basically a natural response to all the advertising we are confronted with EVERYWHERE on TV, radio, billboards, etc. They don’t come from bad intentions, just ignorance of a better way.
Jen, thanks for teaching us helpful skills to avoid contributing to this ongoing plethora of intensely annoying advertising. “Mute” is my favorite button for the TV. I wonder what would be the equivalent for Status Updates like these. lol
I believe that would be “hide”
Seriously, Jen, this made me laugh out loud, even as inside I cried a little bit. I’ve seen so many updates just like this…and so few like the ones in your excellent March post about “GOOD” status updates.
Keep doing the good work! Thank you!!
Ah, but the good ones are increasing! I’ve seen proof!!!
Jen, I’ve listened in on several of your training calls with different companies including the one I’m involved with and every time I learn more. When you first taught about social networking etiquette I took to heart all you said and it’s changed the way I network! It makes me cringe when I see posts like these! Thanks so much for sharing this again!
Thanks for another great post on how not to do our business, Jennifer. I so appreciate your honesty and your guidance!
I stopped this a few weeks ago and I get more responses by posing a question to my followers than I ever had by blasting sales promotions.
Erica, posing questions–that’s brilliant! Can you give me some examples of questions you post?
Would love to see some examples of good status updates!
Here you go Lisa: http://www.jenfongspeaks.com/how-to-write-status-updates-that-dont-cross-the-line-into-spam/
So what is a good way to tell people about a limited time offer without it appearing like we are trying to ‘sell’ them something? I agree that some of these are over the top but is just putting the info in your status line such a bad thing?
Here’s a post that addresses it Anna: http://www.jenfongspeaks.com/how-do-i-tell-everyone-in-my-social-networks-about-my-red-hot-special/
Thanks Jennifer. I do have a fb Page and that is where I do the specials and things. I thought you meant not to do it in status lines at all but you are just saying not to do it on your personal page. Totally agree! Thanks again for all your wonderful information!
I’m sure I have been guilty of some of those items, as I try to let my customers know about discounts that have a time limit. Thanks for the reminder & “brutal” honestly.
I could not agree more! No one wants to be sold to so obviously!
I agree that only putting information as a status update doesn’t let people know who you are, but I also feel that if there is a special running an occasional status update doesn’t hurt. Some companies doesn’t allow “opt-in” areas for those to post their updates. Although, this isn’t the case with my company I see a lot of people posting stuff about their company specials. This doesn’t bother me to see them, because they post other things to allow me to see who they truly are as a person. If someone doesn’t want to see the advertisements they can always hide the person. (what do you think?)
Why would you want to set yourself up to be hidden? Share your specials with people that ask for them!
Thanks for the update Jennifer. You are totally right about spamming people, and I have learned a lot from your classes and posts.
Thanks Jen,
These are great examples that we can learn from. Hopefully, the “guilty” ones will see your message and learn from it.
BTW, if you do this enough you might be able to turn this into a comedy routine for your presentations…kind of like Jay Leno with “Headlines” LOL. I bet your audience would love it!
Oh the possibilities Don!
Jennifer: Where to start? First of all, I’m very happy to see that I didn’t make the cut
Speaking for myself, because there are such a dearth of similiar status updates coming at me, especially on Facebook, on a daily basis, I find myself ignoring every single one because no one stands out from the crowd. You tell us time and time again; build relationships and provide valuable information for free.
In my opinion, this really is the best way to ultimately find people who REALLY want to own their life and build a home based business instead of the tire kickers and those who think network marketing and direct sales is a “get rich quick” opportunity. Keep in mind that if you have to convince them to JOIN your business, you’ll have to convince them to BUILD their business each and every month after you sign them up.