KISSES for Everyone

There are so many variations on the KISS principle. It is commonly used as an acronym for "keep it simple, stupid. Wikipedia lists other variations like: "keep it short and simple", "keep it simple sir", "keep it simple or be stupid", "keep it simple and straightforward" or "keep it simple and sincere." I am sure there are even more variations in use. As far as social media is concerned, let's take it a step further by making it plural: KISSES - Keep it simple, stupid & engage socially.

Have you ever noticed how many people are obviously lurkers on your social media sites but never leave any comments or posts of their own? You know they're there because when you actually talk to them they already know all of your "what's new with you" responses. Because these people are routinely logging onto the sites and taking the time to read the updates, I'm not buying into their argument that they don't have time for Facebook, Twitter and other social sites. So why don't they post any updates of their own? I'm going to assume it's because they're confused about what to post, or they think their lives are too dull to share. Let's help them out by offering KISSES.  

Keep it Simple - Talk to friends on social sites the same way you would in person. Say hello, tell us what brings joy to your world. Take a look at the types of posts you enjoy reading and share the same kind of things. Went to a new restaurant and liked it? Tell us about it. Read a book or saw a movie that inspired you? Share it. Suffered through the agony of watching your favorite sports team lose another game? Using the old adage "misery loves company" you could post about it and see who shares the disappointment with you.

Use Stupid as a synonym for fun. If you saw something that made you laugh, share it. The main purpose people visit social media sites is entertainment.

Engage Socially - come out from behind the giant floor plant in the corner and join the party. We've all had friends who like to talk about themselves. They'd have you believing they're the most important people in the room. They aren't. In reality, they're just more comfortable at the art of smalltalk. Good friends will stop talking to hear what you have to say. When that happens you have the basis for a conversation, thus engagement and interaction. When you talk, people listen. When you comment and post, people read.

The rule of "engage socially" isn't limited to the timid lurkers. It also applies to the people who plaster the newsfeeds with countless updates and pictures about every detail of their lives without ever acknowledging anybody else's existence. That's a surefire way to lose friends and followers in both your online and real lives.

It's simple, join in the conversation, engage and interact, there's enough room in the pool for everybody. KISSES for everyone and one last note to the lurkers: c'mon in, the water's fine!

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