Social Media is an attention economy

social-media-attention-economyIn my last couple of posts I’ve talked about listening.  Recently a couple of my friends asked me why no one was listening to them no matter how hard they tried.

When I asked them what they were doing they said things like posting interesting articles, pictures, and videos.  Immediately I spotted the problem.

In the world of social media attention is the currency that fuels the economy.  I recommended they start paying attention to the people in their network.  Being trained in sales I know how important it is to establish rapport from the beginning.  This makes it all the easier to do my job.  It’s no different online, you need to develop common ground and then build from there.

I suggested to my friends that they begin engaging their network by hitting the “like” button when one of their friends posted something interesting.  From there they could also comment on posts and even ask questions to prime the conversation.  If they really liked something they saw they could even hit the “share” button and add it to their profile.

After a week I met with my two friends again to see how it was going.  I was pleased to hear that they were getting great results.  People in their network were now talking to them, commenting on their content, and genuinely interested in what they had to say.

It’s easy to overlook the little things.  Something as simple as commenting or sharing content can mean so much.  I can tell you from experience, anytime someone comments on my content they immediately have my attention.

The moral of this story, pay attention to others and they will pay attention to you.

PS- If you liked post then you’ll like what I have in store for you next. Be the first to get the scoop by subscribing to my feed and I’ll deliver new posts right to your inbox.

  • Nice post – great advice for the newbie.

    Cheers,

    Dave

  • Nice post – great advice for the newbie.

    Cheers,

    Dave

  • I’m thrilled that you found this post useful. Thanks for the comment Dave, I hope to see more of you around the site.

  • I’m thrilled that you found this post useful. Thanks for the comment Dave, I hope to see more of you around the site.

  • You are absolutely right. It is deferentially a two way conversation. You would not sit down for a cup of coffee with someone and keep your mouth shut. People will not engage until it is a two way conversation. Great post… i hope people are listening.

  • You are absolutely right. It is deferentially a two way conversation. You would not sit down for a cup of coffee with someone and keep your mouth shut. People will not engage until it is a two way conversation. Great post… i hope people are listening.

  • Nice post- Good suggestion! thanks!

  • Nice post- Good suggestion! thanks!

  • @Brad, like I always say Social Media is a team sport. The only way to get a team going is be engaging them, adding value, and listening.

    @Stacey, glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you around here more, thanks for the comment.

  • RT @JoyatWU: Social Media is an attention economy | Technology Social Media Networking for REALTORs http://ow.ly/oRdT (good read)

  • RT @MIrealestate: RT @JoyatWU: Social Media is an attention economy | Social Media Networking for REALTORs http://ow.ly/oRdT (good read)

  • Thanks for all the info, Jonathan. I am spending this rainy NJ day learning how to navigate Twitter. I’m starting with you! If possible, please join my FB Real Estate Group:
    http://groups.to/sharonsteelerealestate

    Have a great day…. you are inspiring!

  • Thanks for all the info, Jonathan. I am spending this rainy NJ day learning how to navigate Twitter. I’m starting with you! If possible, please join my FB Real Estate Group:
    http://groups.to/sharonsteelerealestate

    Have a great day…. you are inspiring!

  • Excellent post! Rapport (online and offline) is so important in our business. There are many agents with similar skill sets, but a few are much more successful than the rest. Why? They can build rapport quickly and effectively. Looking forward to your future posts.

  • Excellent post! Rapport (online and offline) is so important in our business. There are many agents with similar skill sets, but a few are much more successful than the rest. Why? They can build rapport quickly and effectively. Looking forward to your future posts.

  • @Jonathan Social Media makes it easier than ever before to establish that rapport. People share plenty of information online and it’s up to us to take that information and develop common ground. The possibilities are endless with our new social world.

  • @Jonathan Social Media makes it easier than ever before to establish that rapport. People share plenty of information online and it’s up to us to take that information and develop common ground. The possibilities are endless with our new social world.

  • @Brad, like I always say Social Media is a team sport. The only way to get a team going is be engaging them, adding value, and listening.

    @Stacey, glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you around here more, thanks for the comment.

  • Pingback: Real-TechGuy.com | Social Media Training for REALTORs | Best of 2009()

  • Find out why no one is paying attention to you > Social Media is an attention economy http://ow.ly/13qVF

  • RT @Real_TechGuy: Social Media is an attention economy http://bit.ly/17TFwp

  • Absolutely right. Even just using the “like” button gets people to read your ideas, posts and articles.

  • A little attention goes a long way Shane, thanks for reading and even bigger thanks for the comment 😉

  • RE: A little attention goes a long way Shane, thanks for reading and even bigger thanks for the comment 😉 http://disq.us/ar1n2

  • No doubt about it you must engage to be successful with social media!

  • RT @Real_TechGuy: Social Media is an attention economy http://bit.ly/17TFwp

  • RT @Real_TechGuy: Find out why no one is paying attention to you > Social Media is an attention economy http://ow.ly/13qVF

  • JeffRagan

    When I comment on other people's items, it does so from my personal Facebook account. How do I “listen” to people who haven't commented on my business page with my “business page profile”?

  • I find it incredibly interesting that you put quotes around “Listening” Jeff.

    As far as I know, any interaction off the page will ALWAYS come from your personal profile. Sometimes you have to be willing to step outside of the brand and give people some personal interaction, it's called being genuine. In the end, people want to do business with people.

  • RE: @89589294 I find it incredibly interesting that you put quotes around "Listening" Jeff.

    As far as I know, any i… http://disq.us/atsbp

  • NancyBain

    Excellent Jonathan, as always! Nancy Bain

  • Thanks Nancy, I'm surprised you hadn't already seen this one. Thanks for sharing it out!

  • I completely agree. If I may add, whenever you get the chance to like other people's comments. Do like them – unless of course the comment is absolutely horrendous.

  • Thanks Nancy, I'm surprised you hadn't already seen this one. Thanks for sharing it out!

  • I completely agree. If I may add, whenever you get the chance to like other people's comments. Do like them – unless of course the comment is absolutely horrendous.

  • Pingback: Event Launch Marketing()

  • Spot on Jon! If you “pay attention to others — they will pay attention to you” is 100% right and for good reason.