Talented social media naturals are still rare.
This article will explain the concept of social media naturals and why they could be an asset to your business.
As a digital strategist, I can often tell whether someone working at a company “gets” social media. In my experience, having a social media natural in charge of your brand accounts is more efficient.
How do you recognise a social media natural?
Here goes:
Social Media is Easy (For Some)
Having done my fair share of media training, I’ve learnt that most people have their preferred means of communication.
In many ways, social media has opened up a whole new array of human communication forms, thus increasing the chances for each of us to find a particular style of communication that suits our personality.
Social Media Naturals: Definition
Identifying and empowering social media naturals within an organisation is often more straightforward than you might think.
Here’s how to define social media naturals:
Please note: Social media naturals are not to be confused with influencers:
Sure, most online influencers are also social media naturals — but not all of them. Influencers are influential online not because of their capability for social interaction but their ability to attract and entertain an audience.
Social media naturals don’t need large followings; they use social networks to connect deeply with other like-minded people around their passions and interests.
Read also: The Influencers in Public Relations
Why Social Media Naturals are Valuable
In future generations, almost everyone will be a social media natural. But until then, organisations will have to find — and hire! — them.
Hiring a social media influencer to execute the digital strategy can be a hit-or-miss enterprise. I’ve seen this several times from a close-up perspective.
Influencers tend to care mostly about their brands; for them, it’s always about positioning themselves in the marketplace. However, a niched social media natural can find an organisation with matching passions.
Identifying social media naturals within an organisation is often more straightforward than one might think. This is because they can’t stop constantly interacting on social media with the topic of their interest.
Many organisations have experts who are already using social media to discuss and connect, but no one might have invited them to contribute professionally to the organisation’s social media strategy.
How To Empower Social Media Naturals
When looking for a community manager, I always investigate their personal social media presence.
I’d look not for massive followings but for the ease of use, passion, and willingness to experiment. I’d look specifically for someone with no problems finding the right tonality for various social media situations.
Once within the organisation, I’d suggest creating a framework well-suited for social media naturals:
A shared vision and direction. A social media natural isn’t necessarily a strategic genius; they often need detailed roadmaps of their expectations.
A shared idea of what constitutes success. While a social media natural might successfully cater to a brand audience, they will need measurable objectives.
A shared understanding of creative freedom. A social media natural must be allowed to deploy their talents; micro-managing them will rather defeat their professional purpose.
Please support my blog by sharing it with other PR- and communication professionals. For questions or PR support, contact me via jerry@spinfactory.com.
PR Resource: The Follower Contract
The Follower Contract
Many brands must rethink their approach to having followers, fans, and subscribers. Having a brand community is your privilege, not theirs. How can you honour their engagement?
Think of every single follower, fan, and subscriber having this agreement with your brand:
Dear Brand,
Best regards,
Your New Follower
Read also: The Follower Contract
💡 Subscribe and get a free ebook on how to get better PR ideas!
ANNOTATIONS
1 | Perhaps “social media” isn’t the best name. Because why shouldn’t a telephone be considered a medium for direct social interaction? Early on, social media used to encompass search engines, blogs, and forums, but the scope of what the term includes has been narrowed down over time. |
---|