Elephants in the Room!

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His name could be Jumbo (no, not a mortgage). Is there one in the room with you and your social media efforts?


If you’re viewing social media as a “white elephant sale” and using social networks strictly as a billboard to tout products and offer discounts, then there’s definitely a pachyderm in the room with you. Time and time again, I see businesses using social media as a sales tool. Here are some examples of what I repeatedly see:

• Come in on the 25th and we’ll give you 10% off anything over $50.
• Today’s special, roast pork with mashed potatoes and includes a free cup of soup.
• Saturday only! Biggest sales event this year!
• Get my new 5 CD set on winning now and you’ll get it for half price today!

Yipes! Seriously folks, is this what YOU want to see when you’re sifting through posts on Facebook or Google+? And yes, Twitter is just as notorious, but with a heavy dose of MLM’ers peppered in. Oh, why DID you friend that person on Facebook anyway?


Try to think about the consumer or potential client that’s seeing these type of posts over and over again. What will their reaction be? Is it a turn-off if all they see are posts consistently like the examples above and nothing else?

Perhaps it’s time to open up those big ears like Dumbo does. And listen. Ask some folks you know that will give you an honest answer what THEY think of your page. Ask your fans too! As consumers, they’ll give you constructive criticism and also insight on what they’re not seeing, providing substantiation that will tell you it’s time to stop ignoring an issue that’s reached “jumbo” proportions.




Word of advice: If you choose to continue allowing the elephant to stay with you, let’s hope you won’t eventually see any pink ones.


Could it be time to acknowledge that pachyderm with the trunk? Say goodbye, Horton! 


This is part of the Blogging A to Z Challenge. Click here for D and C or scroll down. And yes, there's A and B too.