It is our pleasure to share a guest post with you today from James Robert Lay, a leading voice in the credit union industry on the power of social media, innovation, communication, and collaboration. Enjoy!
What is the definition of social media? Facebook? Twitter? YouTube? Some may think that this is social media. However, it is important to note that these are the tools, channels and technology of social media and not the action of social media.
When we talk about social media as a marketing channel, many are intimidated on how they can best use it to market a product or service. Furthermore, many executives brush social media off as “kids play” and it’s too much technology to worry about it. In addition, some organizations have turned social media channels into broadcast marketing channels blasting messages out to their fans and followers.
There is a true business application for social media, but the way we talk about social media must change for executives to embrace the true meaning and power of it.
To begin, let’s go back to ground zero and reset our thoughts about social media. Social media is not about Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. Social media is not about technology. Social media is simply about being social. Being social is about communicating. Communicating is about connecting and building relationships on a personal, real and authentic level.
In order to help others understand the power of social media, let’s simply remove the technology aspect of it as we have been social since the beginning of communication. From cave drawings to stone carvings, from letters to the telegraph, from the telephone to the fax machine, from email to text messaging and from Twitter to Facebook, we have used different mediums and channels to communicate with one another. Social media is just the next step in the evolution of communication.
I had an amazing opportunity to show the power of social media and highlight it as the latest in communication evolution by working with Dr. Hudson and the Credit Union Association of Colorado. During Dr. Hudson’s closing general session, the team of www.cugrow.com was at the back of the room running a live Twitter stream and sharing key thoughts that Dr. Hudson was speaking on.
Those who were listening and following along on Twitter were able to join the conversation, even though they may not have been at the conference. Some great questions and ideas came from around the country and we were able to share those with Dr. Hudson. Also, those in attendance were able to see these thoughts and ideas on a projection screen in the room.
Instead of Dr. Hudson sharing only his thoughts and ideas, he was able to have a dynamic and evolving conversation with those sharing their ideas. It was truly an amazing experience of showing the power of social media and how technology connected people together through conversation.
As you communicate and talk with others in your daily interactions, remember that social media is not about technology, but the evolution in the way we talk, communicate and build relationships with one another.
About James Robert Lay
James Robert Lay is the Grower of Relationships at PTP NEW MEDIA and the Chief Tailor of Conversation at CU*SWAG. He is a web, viral and social marketing consultant as well as credit union advocate dedicated to helping credit unions connect and build relationships with their members and community. In addition, he is also one of the founders of www.cugrow.com, a credit union industry blog with a focus on innovation, communication and collaboration.
