At the end of last year, I had finished with what I called respectable reach on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. So I set some goals for each one of them. I gave myself a year to met my new targets. In financial circles, that's what is called budget or the budget.
Early this year, I discovered what is probably one of two fundamental truths about social networks. I've shared it here several times before (Social Media is the New Rolodex & Social Media, Music, & Television). Once again I'd like to point out, unless social media is purely a past-time, you're livelihood is directly proportional to the size of your social graph.
What's a social graph? Imagine a cloud of rain. Within that cloud there are perhaps more drops of rain than you can count. Now imagine each one of those raindrops connected to every other raindrop in the cloud. This mesh of connections is THE "Social Graph" comprised of all social network connections for everyone using social media. Each individual person "owns" or "shares" their own set of social network connections.
Goals
Alright, I confess. There's a third fundamental truth about social networks. Thanks to my research on transmedia, I can now see the social graph as the multidimensional mesh that it is. Within each dimension, let's say each social network, it functions using certain main algorithms and processes. The advantage that I have over many of my peers is that I come from a pure computer science background. To me they are all systems, and I'm a very good system analyst. The trick to social media is that each channel is different. Too many lump all things Internet into one channel, while separating tv from radio or newspapers. That doesn't drill down deep enough. While they share some similarities, Facebook is very different from Twitter and LinkedIn. Each of these is a unique channel with a unique system behind it.
To effectively grow your social graph, you've got to understand each social networks basic formula and adjust your strategy to capitalize on weaknesses in the formula. By a weakness, I refer to components involved within a social networks "formula" that I can control. Ultimately this means you need to have a growth strategy for each social media channel.
I've discovered a few weaknesses for each of the leading social networks and I'm pleased to report that I've exceeded all of the goals I set out for 2010. In some cases I've doubled the number of friends, connections, and followers that I had budgeted. And the year isn't even over!
Metcalfe's Law for Social Media
During research for my recent class on "Using Twitter for Revenue Growth," I learned that Bob Melcalfe has adjusted his description of "Metcalfe's Law" just for social media. Where he predicted a linear growth for each additional node you add to a network, he is now suggesting that a social network grows logarithmically with each new connection you add to your network. Put most simply, the value of your social network grows exponentially every connection, friend, or follower you obtain.
Conclusion
Look around for suggestions on how to grow your social networks and implement something. Find something you can do EVERY day to grow your social graph. If it doesn't work, then try something else. Keep trying until you can see visible growth in every social network you belong to. And of course, I'm not talking about indiscriminately adding connections, just because. Try to form real relationships based on the keywords most important to you or your business. Go ahead and set yourself some moderate goals. I think that is the simplest way to increase the size of your social graph. Set a goal and measure how you're doing.
Flickr Creative Commons Contributor: Anders Adermark
Early this year, I discovered what is probably one of two fundamental truths about social networks. I've shared it here several times before (Social Media is the New Rolodex & Social Media, Music, & Television). Once again I'd like to point out, unless social media is purely a past-time, you're livelihood is directly proportional to the size of your social graph.
Goals
Alright, I confess. There's a third fundamental truth about social networks. Thanks to my research on transmedia, I can now see the social graph as the multidimensional mesh that it is. Within each dimension, let's say each social network, it functions using certain main algorithms and processes. The advantage that I have over many of my peers is that I come from a pure computer science background. To me they are all systems, and I'm a very good system analyst. The trick to social media is that each channel is different. Too many lump all things Internet into one channel, while separating tv from radio or newspapers. That doesn't drill down deep enough. While they share some similarities, Facebook is very different from Twitter and LinkedIn. Each of these is a unique channel with a unique system behind it.
To effectively grow your social graph, you've got to understand each social networks basic formula and adjust your strategy to capitalize on weaknesses in the formula. By a weakness, I refer to components involved within a social networks "formula" that I can control. Ultimately this means you need to have a growth strategy for each social media channel.
I've discovered a few weaknesses for each of the leading social networks and I'm pleased to report that I've exceeded all of the goals I set out for 2010. In some cases I've doubled the number of friends, connections, and followers that I had budgeted. And the year isn't even over!
Metcalfe's Law for Social Media
During research for my recent class on "Using Twitter for Revenue Growth," I learned that Bob Melcalfe has adjusted his description of "Metcalfe's Law" just for social media. Where he predicted a linear growth for each additional node you add to a network, he is now suggesting that a social network grows logarithmically with each new connection you add to your network. Put most simply, the value of your social network grows exponentially every connection, friend, or follower you obtain.
Conclusion
Look around for suggestions on how to grow your social networks and implement something. Find something you can do EVERY day to grow your social graph. If it doesn't work, then try something else. Keep trying until you can see visible growth in every social network you belong to. And of course, I'm not talking about indiscriminately adding connections, just because. Try to form real relationships based on the keywords most important to you or your business. Go ahead and set yourself some moderate goals. I think that is the simplest way to increase the size of your social graph. Set a goal and measure how you're doing.
Flickr Creative Commons Contributor: Anders Adermark
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