Archives for April 2011

The scientific method basically says that A + B = C  – provided the environmental conditions surrounding those specific actions do not change.

Science is accurate.  It says that for a theory to be true, for A + B = C to be valid – it has to be consistenty repeatable under a variety of conditions.

 

You can spend a lifetime proving one single scientific formula. That's exactly why (despite some lucrative offers at respected universities) I decided not to pursue a Phd in Chemistry – instead electing to earn a Masters in Business.

There is No Scientific Formula

You, your business, and your customer base are different from every other business – even the ones in your industry that you compete against. 

Knowing this, I always wonder why I am often asked for a step-by-step approach that works for everyone – a scientific formula that will consistently lead to results.  

Coaches know that you have to make adjustments to get the most out of the team. And its the same with social media. When it comes to social – you know that there are more variables than certainties, so you will have to make ongoing adjustments

Social media is predominantly about human behavior, and the one thing about human behavior that we know with certainty is it is unpredictable.

When There are Variables Focus on the Constants

When there are variable that you cannot control or accurately manage and measure, the thing to do is to focus on what you can control. That's really your only option.

For the most part, there is only one thing you can control and that is you – which includes your team if you are a good manager.

You cannot control Google or Technorati's algorithms – how they rank your content.  You certainly cannot control Facebook.  And you cannot control how your community will respond to the content you share.

So, the only question is what can you control?

What Can You Control?  

You can control how consistently you post.  

You can control how you organize your community to personally connect with them.

You can control the amount and quality of data you consume.

And you can control the effort you make to create high quality content.

I'm sure you get the idea that this is not an exact science. Marketing in all of its forms has always been more art than science. 

While you may not have a scientific degree like me, you have probably practiced science.  Have you ever prepared the same meal to equal quality more than once?  If so, than you are a scientist. 

Find The Recipe That Works Time and Again

Learning and achieving new results through science involves attempting to hold all of the variables constant, while changing only one to see what you get – a fluffier omelette as one example.

When it comes to getting better results with your social media networking and marketing, seek to hold everything constant while changing only one variable at a time.

Just know that while you are doing this the prospects and customers in your community are most likely also changing. It's their human nature. You cannot control that.  So, even when you try to be scientific there will always be an element of art to finding the best approach.

There simply is no scientific formula. There is only you and your best effort – using your business experience and willingness to experiment and trust your gut about what is right for your business.

Trust me, when you consistently apply it, that business experience may well be your most valuable asset.

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Until tomorrow,  Jeff

Photo Credit: endalicious