Comments on: The Social Media Hype

By: Gale VanCampen

Gale VanCampen — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 00:13:22 +0000

ps. Thank You John “Radar” for the Shoutout!

By: Gale VanCampen

Gale VanCampen — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 00:11:38 +0000

Without Twitter, we would not have the #CaseyCornett Dog. And that’s just sad. Without Twitter, I would not be able to entertain people with my wiener. That’s sad too. I love Twitter, HOT DOGS & OKC! ps. I hired my Great Grand Mother to tweet.

By: Ryan McNeill

Ryan McNeill — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 21:16:00 +0000

You can usually replace “social media expert” with “fraud” or “waste of money.” Any company paying big bucks to someone to tweet for a living is getting ripped off.

By: slackmeyer

slackmeyer — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:26:17 +0000

Good point Casey. Though you’ve been very shy at this whole social media thing…
(this is an inside joke between friends involving jaded reporter upholding a long-standing tradition of taunting the public relations professional)

By: CaseyCornett

CaseyCornett — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:46:08 +0000

“Casey, you and fellow public relations practitioners are unlikely to make great fortunes and create new business models based on social media alone”

This is not news to me. My firm was one of the few that didn’t try to hire a “specialist” and instead our entire firm aimed at embracing it individually, which I think we all have done quite nicely. (@CaseyCornett, @SamSims, @JMHarlow)

By: slackmeyer

slackmeyer — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:32:31 +0000

Casey, you are correct. I’ve never indicated I think social media will die – even when I was most reluctant to embrace it. Do I think Twitter is sustainable? No, I don’t – I suspect it will have to change quite a bit to avoid becoming the next flame-out (See: MySpace. Vince and Kris pretty much have my thoughts nailed – Casey, you and fellow public relations practitioners are unlikely to make great fortunes and create new business models based on social media alone. It’s just another tool, and based on local success stories to date, it’s a tool best employed by the actual business owner or operator and not a hired gun. When the whole “bone” incident occurred with Big Truck Tacos, some observers suggested they had a teenage employee running the account. But those who know the “twins” would have (correctly) assumed the culprit on the keyboard was none other than (tall twin) Cally Johnson.

By: Vince

Vince — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:11:58 +0000

This is spot on. Social media is nothing more than the medium for communication. It’s a public medium, allowing you fast access, tremendous reach and a ton of opportunity, but it’s just the medium. The perception is that Twitter made the Big Trucks/Iguanas/Coops successful, when really all Twitter did was give motivated, passionate, capable people easier access to their target. Simple enough.

By: CaseyCornett

CaseyCornett — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:39:10 +0000

“I guess what I’m saying is business owners, don’t miss the overall lesson to be gained from the success stories described in this post: no expert, no consultant, no hired gun has emerged as the the magic behind any of these successful social media strategies. If you want to get a good following, the best shot seems to come from someone who is emotionally tied to the business being promoted.” -Steve

So are you saying that social media will NOT die because it will NOT need “hired guns” to continue? Seems like if everyone does it on their own then it should grow even more…right? I completely agree with your last comment.

By: Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 05:30:46 +0000

It’s about authenticity.

By: slackmeyer

slackmeyer — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 23:23:32 +0000

Interesting points, Gene. But Collected Thread and DNA Galleries do ok – obviously both are located in the Plaza District, which has a great overall social media operation. I believe they too are operated by the owners, with no “experts” in the mix. And the Red Dirt Emporium has over 3,000 fans for its Facebook – and I’m aware much of that following was built up by co-owner, operator Chad Huntington. I guess what I’m saying is business owners, don’t miss the overall lesson to be gained from the success stories described in this post: no expert, no consultant, no hired gun has emerged as the the magic behind any of these successful social media strategies. If you want to get a good following, the best shot seems to come from someone who is emotionally tied to the business being promoted.