Periscope, the Chicago Cubs and Finding a Balance with Social Media
The other day, I was sitting at one of my favorite places – Wrigley Field. Next to me was my fiance, Sarah, and it was a beautiful night for baseball. It was perfect. We walked through the gates, found our seats, and then I noticed something. We both took pictures and began posting them to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. She sent someone a Snapchat and I did a live broadcast on Periscope. After third baseman Kris Bryant hit a towering home run in the first inning, I went to tweet about it. Just as I looked down at my phone, the next batter (who just so happened to be my favorite player) crushed the very next pitch into the seats in right…and I missed it. I love social media, and I love being able to connect and share with people instantly, BUT it is so important to take time to be present and enjoy your surroundings. That is why for most of the game, my phone was in my pocket and Sarah and I had a blast watching the Cubs win (insert your favorite Cubs joke here).
Why am I telling you this? Personal use of social media is an important issue to discuss, however, I think there are business applications to draw from this. In our personal lives and in our professional lives, we can get overwhelmed by all the opportunities that are out there on social media. It seems like a new app pops up every day! (By the way, if you aren’t familiar with Periscope, the app I referenced earlier, you can find more information at their blog.)
I am by no means discouraging anyone from keeping up to date on trends in social media - that's an important part of what I do in my job here at Villing. In business especially, you should experiment with different platforms to see which ones tell your story the best and which allow you to connect with your audience in the most meaningful way. If you find a new platform that you think will tell your story better, make the switch and integrate that into your strategy.
At the same time, there has to be a balance in our business life and our personal life. Never allow the tools you use for communication (social media, print, etc.) to detract from your or your customers’ experience. Target a few specific platforms to focus on and maximize your return. Don’t miss out on personal interaction because you’re too focused with your online presence. Enjoy and cherish successes and reward people accordingly. I guess what I’m trying to say is…don’t miss the home run.
To get our latest articles when they are posted, please subscribe by e-mail or RSS.
