The Art of Listening

Often times we like to blow our own horn more than step back and listen to the music, after all your horn is the most important right? No one likes someone who controls the conversation and only likes hearing his or her voice. There seems to be a misconception that to be in control of the conversation you must be the one talking.  This misunderstanding often times carries over into social media practices as well.

 

You might have heard that to be successful with social media efforts you must engage. Engagement does not just mean extending your oratory skills to the digital realm, but it must also incorporate listening. Listening to what is being talked about and responding in a timely manner. Learning through listening to what people are saying about your brand or industry is important and plays a big role in good social media strategy.

 

There are a couple ways that listening through social media shows its power.

 

It spurs ideas for product development.
It provides competitive insight.
It will help control brand reputation.

 

When you take the time to listen to what is being said you can locate and identify your biggest fans as well as keep a close eye on what competitors are up to.

  

Learning through listening has great power and can pay off in the long run in social media. So put your ear to the ground and listen, you never know how and when it will pay off.

 

This post was written by Chandler Elmore. Chandler is a Social Media Specialist with Media Connect Partners.