Marketing has changed. Traditional marketing still has it’s place and is still valuable. But social media changed the playing field. Social media allowed smaller, more innovative companies to compete with industry giants with 10x the marketing budget.

Social media also gives a voice to the individual like never before. An individual writing a review, showing a video or making a comment about a business can go viral. One person can touch millions sharing their good or bad experience with a company.

One of the biggest problems I see when companies first start using social media is that they forget the most important part of a conversation. They forget to listen! Think of social media as a large cocktail party / networking event. Have you ever been to a networking event or cocktail party and been stuck with Mr. Endless Talker? Maybe he was interesting. Maybe he had some good information. But this guy never listened. And when you had a chance to say something, he never acknowledged it.

We all know we don’t want to be this guy. But so many companies do this online. They create a ‘content strategy’ and post information, articles, helpful hints, quotes, images and more. But when people try to engage, they don’t even acknowledge it. And they forget they should be engaging with other people and companies. They forget they NEED TO LISTEN!

When was the last time you posted on LinkedIn? Ok, now compare that to the last time you liked, commented or shared someone else’s post?

When was the last time your business posted on Facebook? Compare that to when was the last time your business liked or commented on another business’ page? Or responded to someone’s comment, like or share?

So next time you are on one of you social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, SlideShare or so many others, make it a point to really LISTEN to your fans, your prospects, and your clients!