Are social media marketers and social media consumers all that different? Important similarities and

In discussing my job with random people I meet or run into who aren't in marketing, a thread of commonality seems to connect each one: the fact that many of them want to STOP using social media as much in the new year.

Many regularly give up social media for "fasts" or Lent. And others seem to want to forgo social media use entirely for other reasons.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, when connecting to marketing professionals on various social networks, I've noticed that many of them seem not to be as active as one would expect on social media. Or worse, they're the type of users who only post information to broadcast something.

They're not looking for interaction or conversation.

Both of these situations could be considered problematic, but each one for a different reason:

Anecdotally, when people (consumers or regular users) tell me they want to give up social media, they're telling me that they have an unhealthy relationship with it. This attitude is concerning. It's also becoming a scientific area of study for researchers and psychologists.

On the flip side, many marketers who are not as active on social media, be it on LinkedIn or Twitter or even Facebook, it's because they say they don't have time. In truth, however, I think many of them don't see the value of being a regular social media user. This approach is also concerning and somewhat hypocritical.

Here's where I'm going with this:

As marketers, we wish people would consume social media content more than they do or are comfortable. Yet, we, in many cases, are not willing to spend more time understanding these networks and cultivating relationships within them.

As general social media users, many of us seek a better relationship with this relatively new technology. At the same time, we're bombarded with articles, news, and imagery (sometimes, from marketers) that plague social media and make it a more negative space to spend time.

It's a social media paradox. It's also an area I plan on exploring more in-depth in 2020.

I am on a mission to help everyone, whether marketer or consumer, create better, healthier social media habits. I am on a mission to make social media a better place to spend time.

Not sure what I mean?

In the next few weeks, I'm rolling out a new website and various social profiles, all dedicated to the idea of making social media a place that feeds you, rather than depletes you.

I'll be discussing ways that marketers can bring more value to others while at the same time, cultivating meaningful relationships.

And I hope you'll join me on this journey.

See you in 2020.