Be yourself! For reals!

Businesses no matter how big or small are looking for solutions to the question, how do we make Twitter and Facebook work for us? I've seen repeatedly today, people attempting to mimic successful social media campaigns - as a word of advice, I just wanted to say ... hold the phone, yo!

When you first launched your business, did you go into your neighbor's store and showcase the same merchandise? Set your price points exactly the same? Try to go in and steal their workforce? No, right? Sounds kinda ridiculous? Then why try to do that online?

You started your business because you saw value in what you had to offer people. You had a vision for the future that you could make people's lives easier, and enrich your own at the same time. Ok, you really just wanted to make as much money as possible and retire at 45. I get it, I get it ...

The bottom line here is, you're offering something to the world that no one else can offer. So highlight THAT! Stop focusing on what other people are doing and strategize how you can make these crazily awesome forms of communication work for you! That is the entire premise of Twitter, if you haven't noticed. There is an entire day, called #FollowFriday, devoted to people tweeting about who they think is cool and is worthy of a follow. Notice how there isn't a "I don't like you, get off of Twitter" day? Sure, it might not be as catchy as #FollowFriday ... but you get the idea.

Highlight you, your services, what YOU offer the world. It is great to research and learn what has worked for others and what doesn't, but don't let that be your be all and end all. You've stayed in business for this long for a reason, don't just tell us what that is - show us!