The SM Break Up...Urbandale HyVee

This is a tough post to write.  You see it's about "My Hy-Vee" in Urbandale, Iowa.  Over the years I've become friends with several of the 600 people now employed by this, the largest store in the chain.  That's not changed. We know each other, call each other by name and have a positive personal relationships.  And, yes, I still drive an extra mile to shop these "smiling aisles". 

So, I'm loyal.  And, over time I've posted a number of videos...just for fun.

However, what was also a personal social media relationship has fallen on hard times. My Urbandale HyVee, it seems, has outsourced their Twitter postings to the dreaded "Home Office" and rather than engaging their followers the Urbandale HyVee Twitter Stream is loaded with blah, blah, blah...selling messages.

They got...lazy and in getting lazy My Urbandale HyVee is losing its personality.

The Double Edge Sword of Social Media

That's the trouble with social media.  Your Friends and/or fellow Tweeps get used to your "voice" and when that changes or becomes loaded with "corporate speak" you...lose your relationship.

The answer is pretty simple but, it takes work.  Outsourced Twitter Streams can work but the folks punching the keys need to remain engaged. It's called social for a reason.  That's why we recommend to our social media clients that they...NOT US...learn the best ways to make social media work for...them. But, like everything good...it takes...time.

If you've got a comment or question feel free to say it here or join us on our Twitter Stream @InsightADV or our advertising/communication agency Facebook Page is right here.

Comments

[Georgie]

This is SO TRUE! Come on HyVee! Don't lose the one thing that made you stand out among all other stores (including other HyVees)!! Building such a large impersonal store has already hindered the awesome personality it once had, now you have to work extra hard at maintaining that. Having your Social Media being 'Robot-Like' and not personal, just pushes people away further.
TALK TO US!!

[Sage Aumick]

“The answer is pretty simple but, it takes work.” – I most certainly agree! Everything takes time and effort to work, and that includes social media marketing. One post, share or article will not propel your site to a major lead. You have to be consistent in giving out fresh and new ideas to your target audience. Without patience, strategy and perseverance, your marketing efforts will go down the drain.

[Damien Town]

Social media or "social networking" has almost become part of our daily lives and being tossed around over the past few years. It is like any other media such as newspaper, radio and television but it is far more than just about sharing information and ideas. Social networking tools like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Blogs have facilitated creation and exchange of ideas so quickly and widely than the conventional media.