Psychology plays a humongous part in the social-media marketing world, a larger part than most people realize. Social media is still in the infancy stage, but is developing awareness rapidly. Spearia has taken great interest in studying the psychology of social media. Why are people into it? How do they use it? What are their goals? What are they looking for? What’s next? Our research comes down to the 7 Psychological As of Social Media. These things are essential to building relationships, maintaining relationships, and being at the top of the social-media game.

2. Spearia, Inc | 3934 West River Drive | Comstock Park, MI 49321 | P: 616.301.1037 | F: 616.301.0904 | W: www.spearia.com 7 Psychological A’s of Social Media 101 Psychology plays a humongous part in the social-media marketing world, a larger part than most people realize. Social media is still in the infancy stage, but is developing awareness rapidly. Spearia has taken great interest in studying the psychology of social media. Why are people into it? How do they use it? What are their goals? What are they looking for? What’s next? Our research comes down to the 7 Psychological As of Social Media. These things are essential to building relationships, maintaining relationships, and being at the top of the social-media game.

3. Spearia, Inc | 3934 West River Drive | Comstock Park, MI 49321 | P: 616.301.1037 | F: 616.301.0904 | W: www.spearia.com Acknowledged People love to be acknowledged. They wouldn’t put themselves out there if no one was giving them credit. “Hey! I’m here! Look at me!” You have to acknowledge everyone, no matter how busy you are. People simply want to be noticed and feel welcome. When you acknowledge them, they grow to love you. When you’re real and genuine in your acknowledgment, they grow to love you more. This is especially important to people new to social media. If you don’t acknowledge them, you lose them. Take the time to acknowledge people. They will appreciate it.

4. Spearia, Inc | 3934 West River Drive | Comstock Park, MI 49321 | P: 616.301.1037 | F: 616.301.0904 | W: www.spearia.com Attention Once people are acknowledged, they want a little more attention. This isn’t daunting – it’s as simple as responding to a follow on Twitter or commenting on a blog or adding them as friends on Facebook. The acknowledgment is nice, but when you go beyond “Hello,” it sets you up for a lot of conversation in the future. To be a marketing and branding guru, you need conversation. Give people attention, and they will appreciate you and give you the attention right back.

5. Spearia, Inc | 3934 West River Drive | Comstock Park, MI 49321 | P: 616.301.1037 | F: 616.301.0904 | W: www.spearia.com Approval Taking a step past giving people attention is showing your approval. When people put something out in a world they’re unfamiliar with, they’re nervous and afraid. They’re trying to contribute to the conversation. If you simply say “Hey, great share!” you’ve shown them you approve and respect what they’re doing and saying. Most people don’t have good self images. That’s part of the reason people are much more open online than in person. So when you let them know you approve of their ideas and contributions, you let them know they have value. You should mention people you work with, people you like, and people you respect. Let them know you like what they’re doing. Approving of what your prospects are doing and saying is crucial to building your relationship with them.

6. Spearia, Inc | 3934 West River Drive | Comstock Park, MI 49321 | P: 616.301.1037 | F: 616.301.0904 | W: www.spearia.com Appreciated People in social media love appreciation. Who in this world does not love this? We all do! It’s one thing to know an idea or comment is approved, but when you tell someone you appreciate the contribution, it goes much further. You’ve acknowledged, given attention, and approved of these people. But until they know you truly appreciate what they’re doing, you’ll have trouble building a genuine relationship. That’s why it’s critical to show appreciation to people in the social-media world. Take the time to let people know they’re appreciated for their work, their tweets, their Facebook notes – everything. Appreciation must also go to prospects. Let them know you appreciate their social-media efforts and also them as people. This is what being real is about.

7. Spearia, Inc | 3934 West River Drive | Comstock Park, MI 49321 | P: 616.301.1037 | F: 616.301.0904 | W: www.spearia.com Acclaimed People love to see their names in the spotlight and to be acclaimed. There are two ways that can happen in social media. a) Being answered or featured in a conversation. b) Being retweeted, featured, or talked about in a conversation. Praise is important to people trying to get their brand out in the social-media world. “Great job! Keep it up!” It’s simple, but who doesn’t love that type of praise? Put people in the spotlight – even those you don’t know – for a job well done and you will reap the rewards. Praise publicly and genuinely. Psychologically, people love praise, and have a tendency to reciprocate. Find good stuff and share it. Good posts on blogs. Good notes on Facebook. Good tweets on Twitter. Good writings in journals. Good articles in directories. Good attempts at sharing. All these are critical in the big plan of social media.

8. Spearia, Inc | 3934 West River Drive | Comstock Park, MI 49321 | P: 616.301.1037 | F: 616.301.0904 | W: www.spearia.com Assured People in social media want to be assured they’re doing the right thing, being the right person, and taking the right actions. People really do need assurance. In marketing, it’s one of the most critical factors in the process. Assure people they’re needed. Assure them you’ll be there for them if they do business with you. Whether they have a challenge or just need your help, assure them customer service will be there for any reason. This lets people doing business with you know they’ve made a good decision and a good move. Reassure often, and do it well. “You can do this.” This will also be a reflection of your character. Assure people what they’re doing, writing, saying, and sharing is helping you. Go out on a limb and say it. “Great job and thank you for sharing this – it has really helped me.”

9. Spearia, Inc | 3934 West River Drive | Comstock Park, MI 49321 | P: 616.301.1037 | F: 616.301.0904 | W: www.spearia.com A Part People in the social-media zone want to feel A part of something much bigger than they are. Marketing to these folks on social media is simple: Include them. Invite them. Impose upon them. Engage them. They will not only feel a part of something, they’ll be a part of something. They’ll want to contribute to the whole, helping everyone. There are exceptions, as there are everywhere else. There will be the crazies who try to break the system. But don’t worry about them. You be the person people want to be around and connected to. Make them feel like how they feel about themselves when they read your stuff, visit one of your sites, or see you constantly offering value to the conversation. Make people feel a part of what you’re doing, and they will spread the word. Quickly. Isn’t that what marketing is all about? Not just people talking about you, but people talking for you?

10. Spearia, Inc | 3934 West River Drive | Comstock Park, MI 49321 | P: 616.301.1037 | F: 616.301.0904 | W: www.spearia.com Thank you for taking the time to read and listen to what’s on our mind about social media. Join the conversation and share your thoughts. @spearia and at facebook.com/spearia. What do you think?

12. Spearia, Inc | 3934 West River Drive | Comstock Park, MI 49321 | P: 616.301.1037 | F: 616.301.0904 | W: www.spearia.com