What part of this Digital Nativity Scene stood out to you the most? What caught your attention, made you smile, made you laugh etc.?

The World Of Social Media is here to stay and that has major implications for the business sector, organizations and Corporate America.  There are over 220 million bloggers, over 600 million Facebook users, 175 million Twitter users and 34% of these folks post opinions about products and brands.  These shared opinions are a big deal, as research shows 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations and only 14% trust advertisements.

The problem with social media advertising is that many companies don’t have a clear understanding of how to leverage social media for their business.  There are a growing number of businesses whose primary focus and business model is to help organizations leverage social media and they will even do all of the social media work for the companies.

There are a growing number of businesses that seem to have a functional Social Media plan.  If used correctly, Social Media can be an amazing value-add to a company.  There is definitely more than one way to skin the Business Social Media Cat; however it’s important to employ a method that makes sense.

Here are 7 Ways Businesses Should Leverage Social Media

1.  Develop A Plan- The old proverb of those who fail to plan, plans to fail is definitely true when it comes to businesses and social media.  Develop a plan that starts with the end result in mind.  Do you have a desire to promote offers, promotions and coupons?  If so how are you going to do it.  Are you going to make Social Media the main communication hub for your customers, how are you co-branding your social media platform with your existing brand.

Developing a plan takes time, energy and research.  Take your time, develop a plan or hire someone to help you with the plan before you get jump in and get started.  If you have already begun, you should assess your existing plan and re-engage with the new plan.  Abraham Lincoln says it this way, “If I had 8 hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend 6 hours sharpening my ax.”

2. Know Your Voice- This is the golden rule as it pertains to Social Media.  If you are speaking on behalf of John Q Organization, make sure that you speak from that voice.  Businesses tend to confuse or overlap the voice of their personal brand with their business brand.

If you are tweeting or posting Facebook updates for your Coffee Shop, you should not be tweeting about mowing your grass, unless of course you are mentioning that it’s time to have a nice cup of Joe afterwards.  An easy solution to make sure your business voice is the one speaking is to ask this question before posting — If my company could tweet or post, would they share this?

3.  Be Social- The most important thing about social media is the social part and not the media.  If you look @Starbucks and @Southwestair Twitter streams, they are always interacting with customers and people.   One of the best organizations in the country that appropriately leverages the aspect of being social is @KCIAirport.  These guys are brilliant, if you want to see how you can be social, handle customer concerns and build a social media brand by doing the basics.  Check them out!  Be Social, Be Accessible, Be Social, Be Relevant, Be Social, Be Authentic, Be Social, Be Real, Be Social, Be about Your Brand, Be Social, Be Entertaining, Be Social and did I mention BE SOCIAL!

The statistics that I shared in the beginning of this post about 78% of customers trust peer recommendations drives home the importance of being social.  I think that research could be extended to say that people are more likely to trust and promote brands they feel connected to.  Be Social!

4.  Make A Name For Yourself- This is a two-part solution.  1.) Make sure that your Twitter and Facebook names are simple, easy to remember and relevant to your company.  2.) Make a name for your company by being active in the world of social media.  Have tweet-ups at your place, provide social-media only specials, have promotions that demand viral interaction and be creative.  @dealsplus has done a great job of demanding online viral interaction.  It does not matter if your company is large, small, on-line, or has a physical location, you can Make A Name For Yourself. Familiarizing yourself with the 111 Twitter Tools will help you to become efficient at making a name for yourself.

5.  Make Your Profile Work- Make sure your Twitter and Facebook profile represent your company.  If your business is a coffee shop be sure to have your logo as your profile pic. and not your personal glamour shot.  Check out my 6 Ways To Make Your Twitter Profile Work.

6.  Have a Primary Social Media Application- The cool thing about the success of Twitter is that Facebook and Twitter have become kissing cousins.   There are many applications that automate the connection of the two platforms.  Although I encourage the multi-updates in both spaces, it is helpful to focus on one platform as your primary.  For me personally, my primary is Twitter, although every single tweet goes to my Facebook community.

It is great for a business to encourage their customers to connect with them on multiple Social Media medians; however having one or the other as a primary helps with clarity.  Imagine your company as bi-lingual.  The question is: Is your company’s native language Twitterese or Facebookese etc.?  Answer that question and speak that language to your customers.

7. Make It Fun- No matter the strategy you choose, make it fun for your customers.  Fun, engaging, enlightening… should be the words your customers use to describe your social media presence.  This isn’t necesarrily “crack jokes” fun, but it’s definitely not blah blah blah boring.

The bottom line is that Social Media can definitely be a benefit to every business and business owner.  Use It, Try It, Be It, Become A Fan Of It, Study It, Know It, Become Good At Leveraging It.  In the future, “It” Can Make or Break Your Company.

“It” Is Social Media!

What do you think?  What companies do a great job of leveraging Social Media?  Share your thoughts.

Is Not…

• 1. Email: Stop thinking that you you have to answer every tweet, read every tweet and when you miss some tweets, stop feeling like your twitter inbox is full.  Imagine Twitter as a River and Not as a Lake. Twitter is not email!
• 2. A Chat-room: Don’t think that it’s appropriate for  you and your friends to have an open stream of conversations that last 15-20 tweets, unless your are directly @replying to them.  DM is a great place to chat. Twitter is not a chat-room!
• 3. A Porn Site: Take your soft porn and bikini profile pics somewhere else, everyone knows that you just cropped the pics from the web and you really aren’t impressing anyone and don’t get me started on the random, ridiculous spammy links to vulgarity.  Fortunately, twitter porn people seem to be dying a slow death, you know why: Twitter is not a porn site!
• 4. Your Little Black Book-  For those of you that may be too young to know what a Little Black Book is, it’s a term that was often used for personal address book or personal rolodex. If you think that you have to personally know everyone that you follow or follows you, you are missing the point of Twitter.  You don’t have to personally know all of your tweeps; however you can make some great friendships and connections. There are many great applications and list features to help you manage your Twitter rolodex.  Twitter is not Your Little Black Book!
• 5. The Barney Show- Don’t feel like you have to sing the “Barney Song”  with everyone in the Twitterverse “I follow you, you follow me… we are one big happy twamily, with a great big follow from me to you, won’t you say I’ll follow you to.”  You can reciprocate follows if you want to, especially if they seem interesting, seem like someone you want to connect with, a celebrity you like, add value to the conversation, have similar interests/backgrounds, are not spammers etc.  Additionally, there is definitely nothing wrong with following everyone, as it’s a matter of preference.  The bottom line is don’t feel obligated to follow-back anybody and everybody, keyword “Obligated.” Twitter is not The Barney Show!
• 6. A Courtroom: Just because you have a contrarian opinion about something someone tweeted, doesn’t mean they’re going get into a courtroom debate with you in the TwitterSphere.  They tweet an opinion and you comment on that opinion, or you tweet and they comment and it should probably stop there.  Don’t try to round up 12 of your @ buddies to be jurors and get your back in some kind of war of the TwitterSphere debate.  Twitter Is not A Courtroom!
• 7. Facebook: There are many similarities between Twitter and Facebook and many people have Facebook and Twitter linked together; however they are not one in the same.  The two platforms perform two different functions, although some people are still divided about which one they prefer.  Twitter is simple, easy and a great place to get instant information and Facebook is not.  Facebook is making a bunch of cha’ ching and Twitter is not. Yet!  Although they both may be from Arkansas and are kissing cousins.  Twitter is not Facebook!
• 8. Faceless: Although Faceless may be an Arkansas relative to Facebook, it’s not related to Twitter.  Faceless is absent of a face.  Make sure that your profile pic. is a real picture of you or your brand’s logo.  The pic. should be a tight shot, preferably a head-shot; no full-lengths or far-away shots. Don’t waste your time with the Avatars; you’re too unique to have some computer generated version of you. The Twitter Egg for a profile pic is the lamest of lame, if you take the time to set up an account, take 2 minutes to add a pic.   Your profile pic. is one of the most important aspects of your profile, as people need to know who you are before they listen to what you have to say.   If you are using your brand or logo, make sure it’s scalable to make sense for a Twitter profile pic.  Check out these examples of the 30 Types Of Twitter Profile Pics.
• 9. Google+: There seems to be a lot of chatter about the greatness of Google+ and I’ll be honest and say I have an account, I’ve made some connections and see some potential; however I’ve simply yet to become a fan.  I’m a fan of Twitter, I’m not yet a fan of Google+.  Maybe I’ll be converted at some point, as of now it’s Google-.  Twitter is not Google+!
• 10. Monkey-See–Monkey-Do - Although I’ve shared many things that Twitter is Not, it’s important to realize that Twitter is a place for you to be you.  Don’t feel like you have to be a copy cat, or follow this trend, or because everyone is now doing this or that — you feel like you have to do this or that.  Stop with the mimicry, be yourself.  Twitter is not Monkey-See–Monkey-Do!

There are so many things that Twitter Is and even more things that Twitter Is Not! Share your thoughts on any of these 10 Things Twitter Is Not and add some additional things to the Twitter Is Not list.

Twitter is definitely here to stay and is growing at a rate 460k new accounts and 177 million tweets per day.  Now that we understand that Twitter is here to stay, this infographic helps us to identify the Who, Why and How of Twitter. Check it out and share your thoughts.

Again, share your thoughts on Twitter, its use and the findings in this infographic.

Funny video about Facebook, played out (IRL) In Real Life.

Thoughts? What elements caught your attention or would you add to this video?

First of all I want to thank everyone who has supported the Church Diversity movement by either purchasing a copy of the book or sharing the message in their sphere of influence.  As I travel around the country and share the message I’m constantly amazed at how ready the Body of Christ is to receive the message.  There are churches that are taking their entire congregation through the book, small groups and individuals just like you and I that desire to see a little “Heaven on Earth.”

Again, the message is being very well received and I simply want to say, “Thank You.”  My publishing New Leaf Publishing Group is offering Church Diversity: Sunday The Most Segregated Day Of The Week for only $4.99 for 72 hours.  This promo is going out to those of you who are a part of the BigIsTheNewSmall.com and ChurchDiversity.com communities.

Church Diversity will be available for purchase in Kindle, Nook, iBook, Sony Reader or PDF formats for only $4.99 from nlpg.com. Purchasers can also request a complimentary copy be sent to their pastor.  That’s right for the next 72 hours you and your friends can purchase a digital copy of Church Diversity for only $4.99 (right here) and a complimentary copy be sent to your pastor.  That’s like a double deal.

Thanks again for your support, please share this within your social media circles.  Did I just type circles?  Must be thinking about Google+, just when I thought Facebook and Twitter were enough.

#FistBump & Thanks for your support…  We are just getting started!

Social media has well eclipsed the thought that it is just a fad; it is more like cotton – the fabric of our lives.  Social Media is not simply new media… it’s the media.  It’s the chosen form of media of the people.  If a business wants to be successful they have to be where the people are and the people are on social media.

It doesn’t matter if you’re in the business of selling trinkets, pancakes, books, gas, financial services, phones, hamburgers or cars… Your customers are on social media and that’s where you need to be.  Many of them are reading this post from their mobile device.  They want to hear from you, they want to find you and more importantly they want to share the good, bad and ugly about you with their tribe.  Social media has allowed ordinary Joe to have a mom and pop type connection with their favorite brands, products and businesses through Twitter and other forms of Social Media.

If a company is not on social media they are failing bigger than a pregnant Twitter Fail Whale and that’s BIG.  Businesses need to have a social media presence just for the sake of being able to know what people are saying about them and their products.  Like it or not people are talking about your business, they are talking the good stuff, bad stuff and ugly stuff.  Not only are they talking but their friends and followers are listening.

Research shows that 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations and only 14% trust advertisements.  For that reason, every business should have someone that understands social media (consultant or in-house) assigned and responsible for their social media presence.

I remember traveling to Florida this summer and had a layover at KCI, Kansas City International Airport.  If you have ever been to KCI you know that it is very tight (not cool, but small).  You have to leave outside of security to get food, other than a few little kiosk like stands.  While I was at KCI, I tweeted an honest but somewhat negative tweet, my tweet was this: “Kansas City might have some good BBQ, but they need to work on this airport captivity, can’t leave, must re-enter through security airport!” I also tweeted, “Kansas City airport is like a prison once you get through security…  You’re Locked Down.”

Shortly after my tweet went out, I received a twitter response from @kciairport that read as follows: “@scottwilliams our design is not ideal for transiting pax. Working to increase avail concessions in gate areas.  Please enjoy our Free Wifi.” I loved the quick response and the fact that they directly addressed my concern as a customer.  It immediately changed my thoughts about the Kansas City International Airport.  I felt compelled to share my change of heart with my Social Media Tribe.  I tweeted this response, “Big #FistBump to @KCIAirport for having free wifi & a social media crew that responds to customers.  Awesome! Others should learn from this.”

The fact that the Kansas City International Airport had a viable social media presence saved their brand from a black eye and ended up adding value to their business.  If they didn’t have a great social media presence, those pregnant fail whale thoughts of mine would still be actively swimming around in the online waters of Twitter and Facebook.  Not to mention that 78% of my social media friends would agree with me and have similar thoughts.

Some Businesses Are #Winning With Social Media… While Others #Fail!

Do your favorite brands and businesses have a viable Social Media Presence?    Share your thoughts and experiences.

Can You Recognize A Social Media Influencer, When You See Them? Well the obvious answer is yes, absolutely you can.  Think of some of your favorite Social Media Influencers, why you choose to follow them and how they influence you personally.  Although many of the effective principles are paralleled, leading and influencing in the world of social media can sometimes be more difficult than leading/influencing in a traditional leadership/work settings.

The social media influencer has to lead purely through relational, cause and content equity.  There is no positional equity, hierarchical leadership or formal boss.  The social media influencer has to answer this daily question for their followers: “Why should I listen to, or follow you?”  In other words, what are you providing that makes people want to follow you; especially when there are thousands of others who are only a click away.

Social Media Influence is not simply about the numbers but rather about value. @Oprah has nearly 6 million followers on Twitter, however she wasn’t a social media influencer until recent months.  She didn’t start actively tweeting until @MCHammer showed her the value and potential of Twitter when he appeared on her show.  He showed her how to extend and leverage her influence to the world of social media.  MC Hammer is a big-time social media influencer and even owns several companies that deal with aspects of social media. @Oprah definitely had potential, but so does every single person in the world of Social Media. Remember This – Potential unrealized is just potential. MC Hammer helped Oprah to reach her potential.

On the other hand @revrunwisdom is probably one of the most influential individuals on Twitter.  If he’s not the most influential, he’s definitely at the top of any list.  He is the most re-tweeted Twitter user of all-time. Why is Rev Run so influential?  It’s quite simple, he provides daily value to every single person in his twitter stream.  He has found his unique voice, which happens to be sharing consistent daily morsels of wisdom.  This is an extension of what he did for years prior to joining Twitter at the end of his TV Show Run’s House.  He would close out his show with a quote typed onto his blackberry and end with a “God Is Love… ~Rev Run.”

Actress @Alyssa_Milano is a social media influencer, not because she is an actress but rather because she adds tons of value by sharing relevant content, promoting causes, sharing her life and being herself.  Pastor @shaunking is a social media influencer, he started an organization that leverages social media for social good for those in need around the globe.  The list of influencers goes on and on…

5 Ways To Be Recognized as A Social Media Influencer:

• 1.) Can You See What I’m Saying? Find your voice.  Your online voice should be a natural overflow of your IRL (In Real Life) voice.  They should not be mutually exclusive, but rather one in the same.
• 2.) When You Look At Me Who Do You See? Don’t try to be a copycat or phony.  Authenticity is crucial, so Keep it Real!  “Do You! It’s A Statement… Not A Question.”
• 3.) Can I See You? Be accessible, helpful, respond to tweets, write a guest post for someone, remember that your online influence is based upon those who choose to follow or connect with you.  Key word… choose, social media is all about choices. @RevRunWisdom is a rare breed when it comes to interaction and following, he doesn’t follow anyone.  Accessibility is important, but not paramount See #2. (Be yourself.)
• 4.) Can You See My Muscles? Be willing to flex your Social Media muscle by tackling the tough issues, helping worthy causes and adding overall value to the online community.
• 5.) Can You See Me? People can’t follow you if you don’t give them anything to follow.  Just like the newspaper, you need to deliver regular content.  You don’t have to be hyperactive, just active.  Write something, tweet something, share something!  @oprah‘s nearly 6 million followers had probably forgotten that she even existed before she started actively tweeting.  I mean forgot about her only from a Social Media perspective.  Her worldwide and new television influence will continue to be exponentially multiplied with her engagement of her social media community.

Ellen DeGeneres or @theellenshow does a great job at all of the above.

Who influences you in the world of Social Media and why?  Share your thoughts or other ways to be recognized as a social media influencer.

Facebook Infographic from Jean-Jacques Parys on Vimeo.

This video illustrates the undeniable power of Facebook. ENJOY!

One of the most important interpersonal skills is the ability to be authentic.  Authenticity is simply defined as –the quality or condition of being authentic or genuine. That seems like such a no-brainer and easy thing to do; however authenticity is more difficult to come by than not.

In order to have healthy, productive and legitimate interactions, individuals must learn how to become authentic.  Start by asking yourself questions like, “Who Am I Really?”  ”Who Was I Created To Be?”  ”Am I acting this way because I’ve been trained to or is this really me?”  Any of these type of questions will help individuals begin to be gut level honest with who they really are.  Until we truly know who we are and become comfortable with who we are, we will have a tendency to lack authenticity.

The lack of authenticity does not only affect our daily face-to-face interactions, but it bleeds over into online interactions.  We begin to develop the inauthentic Twitter and Facebook John or Nancy, which is a more courageous version of the In-Real-Life John or Nancy.

The lack of authenticity boils down to insecurity, people or so insecure with who they are that they begin to mimic the likeness of others or put on a facade altogether.  What is meant to come off as different, cool, real or strong comes across as “Jake The Fake.”   People can see inauthenticity from a mile away, a tweet away or a status update away… so go ahead and get real with yourself and others.

Authenticity Is A Lost Art, Even On Twitter & Facebook! Honestly it takes more work to be inauthentic than it does to simply Be Yourself.  ”Do You! It’s A Statement Not A Question!”

Here are a few simple ways to find The Art Of Authenticity:

• Be the same person at home, work, church, online… although the context may change the person shouldn’t.
• Find your voice, not the voice you want but the voice you have.  The voice you want may develop over time, but not until you find the voice that you already have.
• Ask the people closes to you, if they notice signs or areas of inauthenticity.  Ask them to hold you accountable to improving in this area.
• Stop asking “How can I be like so and so?” and instead ask “What qualities about so and so can be adapted to who I was created to be.”
• Make daily steps toward finding The Lost Art Of Authenticity and people may give you the compliment, “I Like Your Style!”

“Be your authentic self. Your authentic self is who you are when you have no fear of judgment, or before the world starts pushing you around and telling you who you’re supposed to be. Your fictional self is who you are when you have a social mask on to please everyone else. Give yourself permission to be your authentic self.” ~Dr. Phil

Do you find Authenticity To Be A Lost Art?  Share your thoughts on Authenticity, especially as it relates to Facebook and Twitter.