Chris Brogan wrote a really great post this week called Social Media Fatigue. Maybe you already read it. If not, check it out, here.
I’ve been thinking about it ever since, in my own way.
My take on his idea of social media fatigue is this: If it’s not fun, why are you doing it?
Is the WHY compelling enough to help you push past the fatigue?
Without a compelling WHY to propel you, fatigue and burnout are inevitable.
So, before you join a social media platform, before you start a blog, before you do anything online, be very clear about why you are doing it.
12 Questions to Ask Before You Do Anything Online:
- What do you hope to accomplish?
- What value are you hoping to share with others?
- What do you hope to gain?
- What do you want to learn?
- What are you looking for?
- Who are you hoping to connect with?
- What connections can you help others make?
- How will you measure success?
- What media will you use to express yourself (writing, photos, art, video, song)?
- What motivates you?
- How strong is your commitment?
- Why?
I often find interacting on social media platforms fun. I find it fun to write new posts and share them. I think it’s fun to see how people respond to what I write. I enjoy making new connections and finding ways to add value to others.
AND. It’s not always fun. Because it is not always fun, I remind myself of WHY I am doing it. The WHY energizes me to stay present and engaged, even when it’s not fun. And the WHY compels me to stay present and engaged until it’s fun again. The WHY is the motivation I need to push past the fatigue and burnout that sometimes sets in.
So… why are you here? And what ways can you stay focused and motivated in your online activities?
I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.
I have only “stuck my toe in the water”. I’m on Facebook and LinkedIn. I can’t understand why the need for so much connectivity. I don’t know if it is age thing, or a personality thing. I really don’t even see how it will truly benefit my business, or the non-profit that continues to elect me as their Board President. So, no, it’s not fun for me. I do it because I the world around me seems to think it’s necessary.
Barb,
Does that WHY motivate you enough? I’m glad that you are present on Facebook. Your presence and interaction is incredibly encouraging! Perhaps you can include that as part of your why?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Becky
I started getting involved with social media because I had to. Not exactly a great motivator, is it.
And then I heard the word “relationship” applied to social media–and suddenly I had my WHY. I am a relationship-oriented person. I had to recognize that behind every tweet, behind every blog post or comment or FB status was a person. Someone who could teach me something. (Like you!) Or maybe someone I could encourage.
Talk about motivation …
Another advantage of social media? The access to so much shared knowledge. A-ma-zing!
This is a great post and incredibly valuable perspective which applies to life and work as well as social media. If you don’t know WHY you do something, you won’t put enough into it and as a result, you won’t get enough out of it.
I think that Beth’s comments above are spot on. It’s about relationships. I have been tossing some thoughts about in my head about this very subject lately and your post definitely motivates me to get them out there.
Thanks for the insight.
Thanks, Sean. I appreciate you taking the time to comment!
I have some follow-up thoughts, spurred on by Beth and others and hope to post tomorrow. Uncovering the WHY is BIG for life, work, and social media. I hope you’ll come back to read my next post.
AND, if you write a post inspired by this, please come back and share a link or link to us.