August 28, 2008

Best Practices in Social Media with the Eyes

published this at 10:14 am

It’s with the Eyes

SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE
The Living Web

Mitch Joel at Six Pixels of Separation has set out a challenge to put forth one social media best practice that we particularly stand behind. Chris Brogan took mine and then had the nerve to tag me.

So I moved from the ears to the eyes.

Watch What People Actually Do

Watch what people actually do — one person at a time. Spend at least an hour watching how someone uses a site you’re interested in. Note where they start, what features they use, in what order, and for how long. If you can ask them why. Then watch another the same way. Watch at least five. If it’s a site about to launch, watch new users. It’s a site, you want to learn, watch the pros.

Often what people say and what they do aren’t the same. Find the patterns and you’ll find the appeal of any site.

Now it’s your turn:
Blog it.
Link to Mitch’s blog
Tag it “social media marketing best practices”
And then tag someone else with the meme.

I tag: Drew McLellan, Toby Bloomberg, Shama Hyder, David Bullock, and Becky McCray

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Like the Blog? Buy my eBook!

Filed under Marketing /Sales / Social Media, Successful Blog | 19 Comments »


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19 Comments to “Best Practices in Social Media with the Eyes”

  1. August 28th, 2008 at 11:45 am
    Juggling Frogs said

    When Quicken originally came out, many, many years ago, it was the most intuitive (no pun intended) piece of software I had ever encountered.

    They developed the user interface by sitting fifteen secretaries in a single horizontal line, each with a computer running Quicken. The developers sat facing the users.

    Whenever someones brow furrowed, the developers would come over and ask what caused the confusion.

  2. August 28th, 2008 at 11:48 am
    Ultimate Blogging Experiment said

    It is really good to watch the other users or people and what they are doing within social media. It can actually really help you decide how you are doing to get these people to come to your web site or blog.

  3. August 28th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
    Cath Lawson said

    Hi Mitch – that’s a brilliant idea. I really struggle to learn social media, so I’m going to spend a bit of time watching what others do. Thanks.

  4. August 28th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
    Patricia said

    I am just a bundle of learning energy today – now I need to figure out how to observe someone and learn social media myself..My sense of smell told me the most information about my children and their health – but when doing an in person counseling session I pose many new questions by observing and using my eyes. How do I observe when I am so isolated? Hmmm?

  5. August 29th, 2008 at 7:33 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Juggling Frogs!
    Thanks for bringing that up. I’d totally forgotten about the way that Quicken was tested. Yep that’s the way to do it. It’s the only way to make sure real customers get what they need. :)

  6. August 29th, 2008 at 7:34 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi UBE,
    I’ve learned a lot by watching power users — the biggest thing I’ve learned is that they all use the tools in slightly different ways to get the results they want. The tools serve them. :)

  7. August 29th, 2008 at 7:35 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Cath,
    Mitch just suggested the meme, the advice is mine. Deep down inside you knew that. Do watch. You’ll be surprised how much faster the tools start to make sense. :)

  8. August 29th, 2008 at 7:39 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Patricia,
    Artists often focus on the negative spaces. Sometimes what people don’t do and where you don’t see them is equally important. :)

  9. August 29th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
    Patricia said

    Liz,
    Thank you for your comment, I have now been told about the negative spaces 3 times – so I spent this morning looking at my site and my consultant’s recommendations with negative space in mind. I got several very good thoughts I will run past my web guru. I actually got 2 comments on my site yesterday – wow I felt like that was affirmation that I am moving in the right direction. FYI – I can not seem to figure out how to purchase your book – is it available on KINDLE? and do you get paid if it is? Thank you

  10. August 29th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Patricia!
    It’s the spaces that make the words. Yeah.

    The easiest place to find the book is here. You’ll get to see my other blog too. :)

    The Insider’s Guide the Conversation that’s Changing How Business Works

  11. August 31st, 2008 at 5:18 pm
    Drew McLellan said

    Liz,

    Amen to your best practice! And I gladly accept the tag. Watch for my best practice tomorrow!

    Thanks for the invite and the insight!

    Drew

  12. September 1st, 2008 at 6:55 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Drew,
    And lifting folks up, as you say, is also a fine, fine thing. :)

  13. September 2nd, 2008 at 5:02 am
    Best Practices In Social Media Marketing: Embrace Your Audience | Social Media Explorer said

    [...] Best Practices in Social Media with the Eyes [...]

  14. September 9th, 2008 at 6:54 am
    Best practices in Social Media: « Blog Till you Drop! said

    [...] Liz Strauss – Watch what people actually do  [...]

  15. September 9th, 2008 at 11:21 am
    Social Media Marketing Best Practice: Use multiple media « EverythingCU.com World 2.0 Adventure said

    [...] Watch what people actually do (Liz Strauss) [...]

  16. September 10th, 2008 at 6:02 am
    Best Practices in Social Media | WOWNDADI @ redcatco said

    [...] meme has produced some very thoughtful posts. Eaon mentions one by Liz Strauss: “Watch what people actually do“. And that is what stumped me. Liz has been a great encouragement through my blogging [...]

  17. September 16th, 2008 at 7:40 am
    TheWayoftheWeb » The best practices in social media marketing meme said

    [...] Watch what people actually do (Liz Strauss) [...]

  18. October 8th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
    Social Media Marketing Best Practice - Article Round-Up | (Anti) Social Development said

    [...] Best Practices in Social Media With the Eyes – Liz Strauss (Watch What People Actually Do) [...]

  19. October 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
    Best practices in Social Media: forging relationships | blog till you drop! said

    [...] Liz Strauss – Watch what people actually do  [...]

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