Duct Tape Marketing - Latest Comments in Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

Michael J. Maher — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:44:25 -0000

Have you ever e-mailed over a contract to only lose the client?

Have you ever used e-mail to update your client on a weekly basis only for them to tell you on your feedback form that your communication is "poor"?

Ever written an e-mail that could be printed out on more than one page?

I love this article. Are we defining "social media" or are we talking about what works? As one comment said, it is back to basics. The only problem is that many people never started at the basics. E-mail has already peaked. The Generation Y doesn't even use it. They text. Look for my book: The Seven Levels of Communication: From Relationships to Referrals coming this Fall. I explore tried-and-true ways to raise your level of communication to retain and attract perfect clients.

Great blog John! I still have The Referral Flood on my bookshelf (with post-it notes marking my favorite places).

Michael

www.TheMaherTeam.com

www.MaherProfile.com (130+ recommendations here)

www.KCREU.com

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

David Marx — Wed, 28 May 2008 01:40:48 -0000

The telephone is ultimately one of the oldest and best known social media tools. It has of late been eclipsed by the buzz surrounding social media on the internet, however it's value as a business tool can not ever be underestimated.

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

Splinter09 — Tue, 27 May 2008 07:35:18 -0000

I agree that the telephone is social media tool, but you have to agree that is an old, is much easier to post your articles or products in social media sites than pick up the phone and call everyone in your phone book to tell them about your new article or product.

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

zoyd — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:32:07 -0000

With the advent of unified communications, virtually all communication mediums may be considered social media tools.

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

ducttape — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:07:39 -0000

@Patty - you missed the point entirely, probably due to the emotion you felt in making your point, but just the other day I was on the phone with close 1000 people, all of whom were sharing and making comments.

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

Patty — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:38:00 -0000

Wrong, wrong, wrong as can be. The telephone is NOT social media because it's one-person-only talking to one-person-only. It doesn't allow multiple parties to participate (in most cases), it cannot be shared, commented on, or generate discussions about the discussion itself.

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

Marketing Integrity — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:07:26 -0000

We have become so reliant on using technology to interact with our customers that we have lost sight of how much more personal the phone is. I experienced that today myself and just wrote a post about a similar issue.

We have encouraged our customers to not call us by implementing voice automated phone systems and our reps are conditioned to e-mail before they call. If we could take the extra 10 seconds to pick up the phone and call our customers, unbelievably we would be miles ahead of our competition!

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

skribe Forti — Wed, 21 May 2008 20:40:18 -0000

It's that old bane, jargon, again. The tech-savvy use it a lot and often leave Joe and Jane Public scratching their heads thinking it's all too hard. BTW, phones are not only a good example of social media they're a good example of a virtual environment. If Gartner's prediction proves to be correct that maybe the next buzzword Joe and Jane Public will have to wrap their heads around. Goody goody!

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

Ian — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:53:29 -0000

That's why the entire social media frenzy drives me nuts.

Social media is not new. And also: Isn't all media social by nature? What's "anti-social media"?

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

JudyAnn Lorenz — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:07:55 -0000

The phone is more social; there is still some validity to the point that our online relationships are not tangible...we really don't get close. Not to diminish online romance, but for the greater part, we get acquainted, then it becomes easier to move on.

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

ducttape — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:18:36 -0000

@Lou - I don't know, can't social be one to one?

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

Lou Bortone — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:16:33 -0000

Yes - It's easy to overlook the simplicity and effectiveness of just picking up the phone! Still, as a social media tool, wouldn't it have to be a conference call? - Lou

Re: Isn’t the Telephone a Social Media Tool?

Mike Michalowicz — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:57:49 -0000

Back to the basics!!!

- Mike