Twitter is an odd bird

Twitter is an odd bird. Is there “Twitter etiquette” when it comes to contributing to conversations?  Do you have to be “followed” by someone in the conversation to be included? I would imagine that simply following one or more of the people involved won’t get you through? Not talking about celebrities, but people who are discussing something for which you have knowledge of? Some of them might consider themselves celebrities in the field of horticulture, but not on par with celebrities outside the trades with ten of thousands of followers.

I enjoy some of what is going on there, but find myself wondering when it’s appropriate to weigh in? Having tried a few days ago, only to be left with absolute silence, is the cause for my asking. It’s a bit odd, but then Twitter is an odd bird.

People seem to either love Twitter, or hate it. Little middle ground. Is it great for starting conversations, but terrible for following up? When I post on Twitter the post automatically appears up on my Facebook profile, where it seems more interaction takes place? Is the very nature of the two platforms, one with “friends” (Facebook) the other with “followers" (Twitter) that makes the difference?

Just curious as to what your take on it has been. I also keep hearing about how Google+ is going to be the next "Place to be", but haven't seen that happen. Is that just wishful thinking among'st the Google faithful?

Avoiding the real work

Here is a great 20 minute video from Seth Godins recent talk at Creative Mornings/New York. The key takeaways for me. Most people who are over using the social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook are doing so in an attempt to avoid doing the “real work” necessary for change. These platforms for some have turned into the 21’st century’s version of “watching the tube”. I enjoy using these tools, but do realize that they have a way of taking up your time if you’re not careful.

The other take away for me is, "we each own a media company." Our ability to broadcast ideas has never been easier, or so within reach for each of us. What are we doing with that ability? Broadcasting more noise, or changing the world?

There is also a twenty minute clip of Seth answering questions at the same talk. Here is that video. Useless factoid, Seth and I we’re born on the same day, same year. Enjoy the talk, and your weekend.

Don't follow the herd

I think it’s wise for many gardening businesses to have a presence on the various social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.  Many of your customers are there, and perhaps you should be too. However, I do think it’s wise to try and get people to use your website, or subscribe to your e-news as an overall theme. My concerns are, as popular as some of these social media sites think they are, they may be doomed in the long run. Then what?

Social media has started to take an odd turn, but one that wasn't unexpected. As we talked about in the last post, “The Customer as Garden Celebrity”, social media sites are becoming filled with advertisements disguised as “social media”. It’s starting to become all so predictable that it’s boring. Frankly, when everything you Tweet, or put on Facebook is some form of advertisement, it’s time to move on.

I’ll be a bit bold and say that blogs and personal websites owned by the writer will never go away, and will slowly grow in importance once again. One of the reasons my family bought into TIVO when it first came out, back in 1999, was the ability to tune out the commercials. Facebook and Twitter are starting to resemble old school media with its constant commercials.

What's happened are many fell for the “instant celebrity” aspect of social media. The more followers you amassed, and the more you tweeted about any old thing the higher your Klout score, or ego would climb. Some people are using social media as a type of “popular currency” that may lead to you being offered goods or money, in exchange for talking about whatever they want you to talk about. I fell for some of this, until the people paying my way showed their true colors.

It’s not worth the loss of freedom to speak one’s mind. This is what concerns me with the present trajectory of social media. There seems to be too much following the herd, and less real discussion going on these days. The really great conversations are getting drowned out by the #hashtagging and commercializing. For me it’s time to focus more on my blog, and do a bit less scrolling through the feed looking for something that likely isn't there anyway.

Is social media becoming big media?

In July I wrote a post titled, "Are blogs relevant in today's social media world?" From that post, "while Facebook and Twitter offer a way to communicate to the customer, its questionable how they will be able to continue as competition and economics come into play. Your blog can be a 'home' that folks can come back to again, and again. You can 'own' your website and blog, you cannot 'own' your Facebook Page." It was a pleasant surprise to read author Warren Ellis and his post today, "The Social Web: End Of The First Cycle." In that post Warren say's, "This may be the end of the cycle that began with Friendster and Livejournal. Not the end of social media, by any means, obviously. But it feels like this is the point at where the current systems seize up for a bit. Perhaps not even in ways that most people will notice. But social media seems now to be clearly calcifying into Big Media".

Warren say's, "Google+, of course, is not, strictly speaking, a social network. Most people can’t see what other people are doing there. Google, of course, sees it all. But everyone knows that going in" Perhaps that explains the new found interest in Google+? It's also why I started a new community there, "The Future of Horticulture".

Warren finishes his post asking, "I wonder if anyone’s been thinking twice about giving up their personal websites". For me the answer is no, my "blog can be a 'home' that folks can come back to again, and again."

Does my business belong on Facebook?

With the failed IPO of Facebook (failed for small investors), one wonders what is in store for the medium. If your a small business and have invested time and money having a presence there you might wonder, what's next? I am not sure, but Facebook is peaking and will eventually become MySpace. It's going to happen, as I have become bored with it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy checking up on friends and use the service for my business, but it's lost its cache. Why would I want to use a social media service that promises more advertising, and still more mining of my data? One of the reasons I started with social media was to avoid the advertising. If you have small business presence on Facebook just keep using the service, but be prepared. Things will change rapidly. We have learned in this new world is change happens quick.

What platform should you use? Start collecting your customers e-mail, and ask if they would like to receive your e-news. You own your e-news, and can keep it ad free if you desire. As these social media platforms come an go you will still have your e-mails an a connection with your customers. In the future we will see more closed platforms, where the group can control what's going on. This is where your web site, blog, and e-news will pay off. You own these, and can keep them safe for your readers. Start a garden club, and have people meet at your website. You'll get people who genuinely want to hear what you, and others in the group have to say.

There is something else about the Facebook IPO. I get the impression that the IPO was designed to enrich the founders, friends, and institutional investors. The average retail customer get's screwed, and that doesn't sit well with me. Image is important, and Facebook's image is taking a hit.

Facebook is just one of the tools available

For all the hype the Facebook stock offering is getting I find it a bit of a non-event. Sure it will be a way for early investors and insiders to get rich, but for the rest of us? Does anyone think Facebook is the end all when it comes to social media? Another, better one will come along in short order. Frankly the bigger it becomes the less enamored I am with it. Small is cool!

Small business should have a Facebook page, and stay involved. Don't however, put all you eggs in that one basket. Keep your e-mail list safe, and don't forget about reaching people directly with e-news. Facebook is just one of many tools available for small business. It's over-hyped right now, and that usually doesn't play out well. People will soon enough "get used to it" and the novelty will wear off. Look how quickly Pinterest got the attention and eyeballs.

I think the initial stock offering for Facebook may be the companies high point. It will now have to show constant growth for the investors, and that may eventually be it's undoing. It can happen. Remember MySpace?

Support your locally run garden businesses

Having been in the garden center business for 30 years, I have seen all sorts of changes. A very powerful and positive change is the ability of gardening businesses to communicate with one another via The Internet. Sure, we communicated before via trade meetings once a month, or phone calls to see what price their petunia six packs we're, but that was about it. Many of us lived in an isolation of sorts, always wondering what other gardening businesses we're thinking and doing.

That's changing, and in a very positive way for smaller garden businesses. With our Independent Garden Center Group we have garden center owners and employees  communicating about all sorts of subjects. It's a place where you can ask your peers if they have ever tried this idea or that one, and receive thoughtful responses quickly. The best part is many of the subjects and ideas worked out in the group are making a real difference to businesses bottom lines. The people in the group want to be there, and that makes all the difference. Look to our group to continue making a positive difference in the garden center trade.

To give our fans a place to show their support we created "LOGON to GROW". It stands for locally owned garden centers or nurseries. We want to spread the news that supporting locally owned, well run business is vital to the community. If you don't, then all we will be left with to buy our garden supplies is box stores, mega growers, and chemical companies. As more and more people dive into growing their own food a resource for information and goods is vital. We have lots of cool ideas to share with you and would like to have your opinion on how we can do a even better job. Come celebrate local, green, garden businesses at LOGON to GROW.

Social Media Amplifies the Meow!

When you take on social media as part of your marketing efforts you are attempting to connect with your customers, and potential customers.  Once you make that social media connection people may respond to you, often  in way's you didn't expect.

Earl May Nursery & Garden Center is having a lesson in how social media works. As you may have read here yesterday Earl May Nursery recently banned cats from it premisses. The cat's which had been at the nursery for awhile performing the job of rodent control and customer greeters we're fired recently. The human employee who worked there complained and  started a campaign to get the cats back. He was then fired.

Now Earl May's Facebook Page has turned negative as customers, and maybe ex-customers vent. One commenter say's, "It's just plain wrong what you did to the employee who defended the cats. I will make sure all of my friends and family learn of this and never spend another dollar in your stores." Ouch!

This will be a great lesson for those of you involved in, or thinking about becoming involved in social media. Just remember, you social media efforts will reflect your companies ethos, good or bad. There might be good reasons why Earl May fired the cats, as one commenter at this blog points out. The problem is the damage was done. What's worse? Cats apparently have Facebook pages now, and they are not happy.  "The cats out of the bag", so to speak.

Join other forward thinking nursery people

We have hit over 180 members of our IGC&N (Independent Garden Center & Nurseries)Facebook Page.

This is a closed group open by invitation only. You must own or work for an independent garden center or Nursery, and have a personal Facebook  page to get in. This group is not designed to compete with nursery associations, or other trade groups. You can belong to them, and be in our group too.

The main criteria for joining is an interest in using new media and in taking yourself and business to a new level. Nowhere have I seen a more free flow of information than in this group. Never in over thirty years of being in the nursery business have so many fellow nursery people been so willing to share their stories of success and failing's. Each day there is something you can take away and use in your business and life. Got a question? Ask and within a few minutes there are answers from some of the most forward and innovative nursery people from around the world.

If your interested in joining send me a Facebook friend request with a note mentioning the group, and we will get you in. New to social media? Nothing will get you up to speed like joining this group. We are learning to use the Facebook medium together. Sure you can listen to talks and presentations about how to do social media, but there is nothing like just jumping in, and learning with others. Go to my Facebook page to get started.