Social profiles should not be used as digital billboards to shout a message at people over and over and over and over.

There, I’ve said it.

It’s not that shouting at people is ineffectual.  In fact, it very effectively encourages people to un-follow, un-fan and de-friend.

May I be so bold as to suggest there may be a better way?

Engage your community.  Invite them to participate.  Give them a reason to listen to your message.  Think Burma Shave.

Burma Shave signs are still fun to read.  Back in the day, they went beyond static billboard delivery with a concept that encouraged people to not only read their message, but to seek it out.  The attention of an entire nation was captured by a personality.  Personally, I want the people I follow, friend and fan to capture me . . .  with personality, not a pitch.

Introduce yourself, share a joke, pass along a link to something unrelated to business, ask your community questions.  Get to know them.  There may come a time, through the course of conversation, when they express a need for what you have to offer – for themselves or for a friend.  Then, by all means, shoot them an “I see you are looking for letter press business cards & think I can help.  Please check out my website” message.

People like to do business with people they know and, if you’ve taken the time to let them get to know you, the chance of them doing business with you is very much in your favor.

What do you think?  Better?