Social Media Debate: Is It Bad Social Media Etiquette to Add Call-to-Actions to My Vaue-Added Information
Want to know why I love LinkedIn so much? Just like a targeted article submission campaign, LinkedIn and many of the other social media sites allow you to put your content in front of your prospects’ faces. Now, they don’t have to search for the content – you are giving it directly to them.
You see, LinkedIn allows you to create your own community of targeted prospects with your own group, such as my Article Marketing Experts Group. In your group, you can distribute your content regularly. You can keep group members updated on new articles or videos you’ve posted – or on new events you are hosting. If you have an online radio show, you can post the audios every week and get more people listening to you.
LinkedIn also allows you to join up to 50 different groups where your targeted prospects are – so you can distribute content and participate in conversations and discussions.
Now, I’ve been doing this consistently ever since I read Kristina Jaramillo’s FREE LinkedIn Special Report – and I never had a problem until today.
Here Is What I Have Been Doing – Let Me Know If You See Anything Wrong With It…
- Using my instant article writing templates, I create articles filled with valuable insights, information, tools, tips and secrets not being discussed by other article marketing or internet marketing experts.
- Along with providing this information – I encourage readers to participate in a conversation.
- At the end of the article, I share a resource which could be one of my article marketing products, my free article templates, my free article marketing book or my free article marketing training teleseminars.
- I then post the article or blog post to my group and within the different groups, I belong to. I’ll also answer questions within the groups or on the answers board and then lead prospects to my blog posting for even more information on the topic.
Now, Do You See Anything Wrong With What I Am Doing?
Here’s why I am asking. After I posted my article, “Is EzineArticles.com the Best Site For You to Publish Your Article?” - I received this comment on one of the LinkedIn Groups:
“Eric, I find it unacceptable that you’re using LinkedIn to market your $97 database– That is not what the Published Authors Network is for. What you did is fine in a newsletter that people have signed up for, but NOT in a forum like this, especially since you started the discussion. I felt suckered by your post. I expect to hear from published authors who are not trying to sell something to me. You dilute the value of this forum–if it had any to begin with.”
Now, if you go to read my article at: http://bit.ly/dHk3Yu , you will notice that…
- I gave value up-front. I give you two very valid reasons why you should not solely rely on EzineArticles.com to bring you website traffic, prospects and sales (something that most internet marketers and small business owners do.) I show you why most article marketers fail – and I reveal the kinds of sites that you should be submitting articles to.
- I encouraged conversation and discussion as I mentioned: “ If you think I’m wrong – and if you are happy with just submitting articles to article directory sites, then please comment and let me know. Tell me why. If you are frustrated with your article marketing efforts because you are not getting results with EzineArticles.com – then please share your comments as well.”
- I didn’t do a full-blown blatant pitch. I did a one-line promotion in the P.S. that mentioned…”P.S. To see where you should be submitting your articles – check out: http://www.articlesubmissionsitedatabase.com/special“
Please Be Honest And Let Me Know – Did I Engage In Bad Social Media Etiquette?
As a marketer am I not supposed to be linking to articles and blog posts that have call-to-actions within them when I engage in social media? Am I supposed to give information freely without giving you a next step? Do you find what I did offensive?
Personally, I feel if I don’t give you a next step or a resource that can help you further – then I am doing a disservice to you. In my blog posts and in my articles, I’m giving you information to get started. But if you don’t have the skills, tools, resources to actually follow through – then what good is that information that I’m giving to you freely?
To me, as long as you give value up front – and I mean information that has a real value to your prospects not free junk – then there is no reason why I can’t ask you to opt-in to get my free article templates or ask you to invest in one of my article marketing products.
But then I can be wrong – so please share your thoughts and let me know. Was I offensive? Was I over the top? Or, was i just giving more value by showing you a tool t hat can help you?
To your article marketing success,
Eric Gruber – Article Marketing Experts
Eric, the person who wrote that note is off their rocker in more ways than one. See, some people just can’t function unless they are starting a fistfight (either virtually, or in person). That’s the impression I got from their comments.
First of all, since they’re going out of their way to make known they look down on you, you should be able to tell – do they maintain their nose hairs?
Second, if I was that forum administrator and I saw someone write “You dilute the value of this forum–if it had any to begin with” I’d ban them instantly.
Third, it’s THEIR choice to be in the forum. THEY have the right to leave anytime.
Fourth (and foremost, actually) – yes you would be doing a disservice if you did not provide a follow up resource. You are one of the most “giving” marketers I follow, I read your article that turned this person’s entire day upside down (THEIR problem not yours) and you add tremendous value, they could have simply ignored your P.S.
- ARH
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I look at it this way… you have to compare the one complaint to the number that didn’t complain. I sent the most newsletters I every had in a time frame – one on a Friday, then one the next Monday to promote a huge list post that I worked VERY hard on. I got some unsubscribes, and one told me that I sent too many emails (although before that it had been at max, one email every two to three weeks).
Alternatively, I got 700+ tweets, 200+ comments, etc. on the post, which led to three times as many new subscribers as those that unsubscribed, which was under 10.
I don’t see what you did as wrong at all – it’s your forum to do with as you see fit. If they don’t like it, they can unsubscribe from it. It’s as simple as that, and I’m sure the benefit of your content outweighed the one person miffed at it.
Eric,
I don’t find your call to action offensive. I see “questions” posted in the Q & A section that aren’t questions, I see thinly veiled solicitations in many of the groups.
I write a blog. Occasionally I get a comment from someone who wants to know how I have the audacity to write what I write or like today don’t I feel “guilty” about the popularity of my blog given my “lack of real expertise” or meaningful content. I didn’t bother to respond…
Like you I try to create value. Sometimes people don’t agree with me, I am Ok with that.
I don’t feel I owe them “airtime” or equal time on my blog.
My philosophy is if they don’t find value don’t read my blog…
Eric
You can’t please all of the people all of the time. I agree with Adam and Kristi.
I fail to see what you did wrong other than continue to give great value, service and tips that has helped me tremendously, and I know many others. A call to action is a norm in business.
Don’t sweat it. Have a Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year;)
Eric,
You’ll never keep ‘em all happy no matter what you do. So I suggest this from a business standpoint. Keep an eye on your subscriber/follower growth and as long as your unsubscriber/unfollower numbers aren’t bad, then people must like how you are conducting yourself. Me personally? I’m not big on seeing a pitch at the end of posts. But that is just me. The people I generally buy from are people whom I’ve come to know and trust because of all the value they have provided over time. Then I search them out when I am ready to buy. When I constantly see a pitch at the end of posts from someone whom I don’t know well yet, I get the “perception” that person is there for the pitch first and to add value because they know they should. I’m sure that is not you, so just let your numbers be your guide. As I said, every one is different. Keep up the good work.
Eric,
If no one every complains that your price is too high – its too low. If no one ever complains that you are too agressive – you’ve too meek.
Hey Eric,
Recently I got slammed by someone who said I was a slime bag marketer who was on the prowl for naive authors and only interested in taking their money.
I was blown away. After a bit of research I found out this was the guys M.O.
If it’s only one person I would say to ignore it and know you are doing good things.
Kathleen Gage
Eric,
Don’t see anything wrong with your submission. I agree with Adam, there is always a group that needs to throws rocks or start a conflict. Just keep being you and don’t worry about the “nay sayers.” Your writings always add value and you provide a lot of good information.
I would not take this to heart on what this complainer said. If he can not see that you offer value in informative information which builds credibility in your business and to you then I would say you can not please everyone.
By offering value in solving a person problem or educating a viewer that was looking for this information and at the end offer a product/service/course to solve that problem is what we do. Its up to the viewer if they want to buy or not. But there is sometimes where you need to give more to your viewer in order for them to trust you. Sometimes have a link back to your website or have them optin to your list by giving them a newsletter or whatever is good to do. The viewer can then look around your website to see what your all about is all they need to trust you.
But at the end of the day you should just let this kind of stuff role off your back.
That sounds as ridiculous as someone on warrior forum. All puffed up and full of self importance. You offer a service for people to write better articles and improve themselves. What the he** is wrong with that? I find that no matter how hard you try, people will have a problem with something. I just got a Squidoo lense locked tonite that has been up and running for almost two years and has countless positive comments. The problem is some jackwagon comes along thinking they are all self richeous and you are a spam artist and then poof, suddenly you get kicked out, banned and called a spammer. Whatever people, get over it!
Hi Eric. I just sent you an email. I tried your free article marketing templates. I’ve just started writing articles for pay. I’ve been having trouble. I write too slow. Yet, when I used your How-To template, I was finished in about 20 min. I wrote an article entitled “How to Choose a Hair Color You Won’t Regret.” I’ve seen a few other templates but yours are awesome. They take out all the quess work.
Good product!
One thing I’ve learned from a year of blogging-There is a creature called an “Internet Troll”. They go trolling along other peoples webs or blogs dropping negative comments. I wouldn’t worry about them one bit. One out of ten people are going to dislike, no matter what we do. It’s the law of averages. I’ve seen folks dropping product on linked in.
I hope they don’t discourage you Eric, your products are so well written. The problem with “Net Trolls” is jealously.At the same time, they make trollish comments sometimes because their dying to connect with you and don’t know how..
Hi Eric:
There is nothing wrong with the post you made. Unfortunately, we can’t please everyone; don’t let it bother you. Have a Happy Holiday!
Barb
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:: Barbara Spagnola, CEO :: Phone: (800) 575-5369 x61 ::
:: Concept Marketing Group, Inc.
Eric, you keep doing what your doing. People look for value all the time – no value, no customers, no sales. And, you present value. It is apparent that this person knows nothing about marketing. We know you sell yourself first and build trust and everything else follows.I wish this person would follow you instead of criticize you. He or she could learn a lot from you. Much success to you!
Keep up the good work Eric! I hear nothing but good things here.
Eric,
I would say that this falls under the category of ‘you can’t please all of the people all of the time.’ It’s just a reality of life; no matter what you do, someone is going to be irritated.
It’s not worth your time or energy to try and twist yourself into something that would please everyone 100% of the time.
=>Donna
I don’t like to see a “sales pitch” in EVERY e-mail or blog post but I read your referenced article and didn’t think it was bad. In fact, I think if you didn’t have that p.s. statement I would have considered your article stupid because to tell me that the ezine place, i.e., one place, is not the best place for me to submit articles and then not tell me where is a better place, well, that’s just stupid on your part (and frustrating on mine).
I don’t have a problem with what you’re doing.
I like your calls to action. I find it helpful. I value the info you send out.
Peace to you
Teresa
New Horizons Management