aaron hughling online

Have you seen the break up video? If you're in that painful place of trying to explain why social media can work for your company to your co-workers, it may aide in that discussion.

I'm sure countless others have already had their weigh-in with opinions on this video, but here goes mine.

The break up video is about the current evolution in the relationship between the advertiser and the consumer. It's not about social media directly, instead it gives of an insight as to how or why we're in this position as marketers. This position, which has paved the way for the success of companies of all scale and scope in social media, is bucking what we were all taught in school, what we pay lots of money for, and what has simply previously been believed to be success or at least standard operating procedure.

More often then not, it's younger versus older, it's your boss versus you, it's what you were taught versus what you believe, it's comfort versus change, it's packaged versus raw, it's about talking versus listening, it's about so many things. No wonder it takes companies so long to get there. It's a big can of worms getting into this new space opens.

But companies are doing it, how much longer can you wait? Don't you feel the clock ticking away?

First things first though, as with everything.

• Listen (aka..monitor) what's out there before diving in.
• Make a specific plan of attack for each platform you plan to pursue.
• Think through a strategy for the whole picture of what you want to accomplish with social media.
• Get your content in order prior to getting in.
• Have a vision and plan your path to get there. It won't happen overnight. Maintain that vision, but remain flexible with your path (it's not always a straight road).
• Do everything you can to earn and build trust with your employer. If they're writing your paycheck, then it's their rules, it will be pivotal though that they trust you in this new scary space.
• Don't make many decision alone, keep your team involved and aware (this builds trust) of what you're doing.

Loading mentions Retweet