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What Bruce Lee can teach us about social media
A little while ago, I wrote a guest post on our agency blog. Enough time has gone by that I thought I could share some of it here on my personal site.
Of course, if you’re interested in reading more, please feel free to check out the full post at the Osborn & Barr blog.
Be water, my friend: What Bruce Lee can teach us about social media
FACT: Bruce Lee is awesome.
Yes, I know that comes off like the opinion of a teenager who just watched Enter the Dragon, but that still doesn’t change what is irrefutable. Bruce Lee didn’t follow his pursuits – he invented them. From acting to philosophy to combat, Lee was a master of weaving his key passions together into a unique signature that is both visual and memorable.
All without a twitter account no less.
These days, the advent of social media has individuals and corporations alike looking for a unique signature of their own. As we see branding move away from the traditional “push” strategy into something far more communal and organic, marketers are left with one of two options: adapt or fall behind. Even in the rural reaches of agriculture, it’s important that we adapt to new technology quickly. In the world of social media, we need to be focused; to move without over thinking; to move like Bruce Lee.
“The possession of anything begins in the mind”
Every product and service has the ability to build a unique and consistent voice. Ask yourself:
· “What quality of life does this product provide?”
· “What is its purpose at the end of the day?”
· “How can this purpose resonate to your customer?”
By focusing on the deeper philosophy behind his actions first, Lee was able to react with clear and efficient movement. In terms of social media, we must ask ourselves questions that go much deeper than “TV, radio or Facebook.” We make more use of our resources by finding our voice first, thenfinding what to say.
“If you make an ass out of yourself, there will always be someone to ride you”
Every online presence faces the threat of trolls – people who instigate for the sake of attention. When you acknowledge them, you are only fueling their fire and adding to their “Google juice.”
No matter what your voice, promote yourself as a positive force for satisfied and dissatisfied customers alike. Help people with problems, address concerns, but never humor those who are only using your platform as a way to build theirs. Social media gives everyone a chance to speak, but only you can give them a soapbox.
You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
Marketing must take the form of its needs. A strong voice will find legs in almost any media, but don’t force it. Today’s approach must be liquid, flowing around obstacles and striking at opportunities as they come.
See the places your message can flow and don’t exhaust yourself with dead ends. A good way to measure this is to see if you’re having any fun. Social media is a great way to build a community on a transparent and personal level, so if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, neither will your audience. Build upon what you already have and see what gaps you can fill.
