How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World
When it comes to social media marketing, the New York Times bestselling author Gary Vaynerchuk argues, the key is to master the art of “jabs”—small, engaging pieces of content that build relationships with your audience—before delivering the “right hook,” your sales pitch.
Author:
Gary Vaynerchuk
Published Year:
2013-11-26
First, let's look at the core idea: the jab versus the right hook.
Think of a "jab" as a small, valuable interaction... The "right hook," on the other hand, that's the ask.
You need to build up to it. Vaynerchuk uses the example of a restaurant. Instead of constantly posting "Come eat here! We have the best food!", they could jab with photos of their delicious dishes, short videos of the chef preparing a meal, or even share a recipe.
Try this: for every "right hook" you throw, make sure you've thrown at least three "jabs" first.
Now, let's move on to the importance of native content.
Each social media platform is like its own little country, with its own language and customs. What works on Instagram...won't necessarily work on Twitter...
Vaynerchuk emphasizes that you can't just blast the same message across all platforms. It's like wearing a swimsuit to a business meeting.
When you create native content, you're showing respect for the platform and its users...This builds trust and makes people more receptive to your message.
For example, on Instagram, a clothing brand might post a stunning photo of a model wearing their latest dress. On Twitter, they might tweet a witty comment about fashion trends. On Facebook, they might share a blog post about how to style that same dress for different occasions. "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook" highlights platform-specific content.
Now, this is crucial: listening is just as important as talking.
It's like being a detective. You're looking for clues, for trends, for opportunities. What are people complaining about? What are they excited about? What are their unmet needs?
This information is gold. It can help you create better content, develop better products, and provide better service.
For instance, a coffee shop might notice on Twitter that people are complaining about long lines at other coffee shops in the area. They could use this information to jab...See how that works? They're addressing a specific pain point and offering a solution. This is a core tenet of "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook".
Let's talk about the idea that "all companies are media companies."
This might sound strange, especially if you're not in the media industry. But think about it: every company, no matter what they do, needs to communicate with their audience. And in today's world, that means creating content.
It's not enough to just have a website and a Facebook page. You need to be actively producing content that engages your audience, tells your story, and builds your brand.
Vaynerchuk gives the example of a plumbing company... They could create videos showing how to fix common plumbing problems, blog posts about choosing the right fixtures, or even a podcast interviewing experts in home improvement. They're not just selling plumbing services, they're becoming a trusted resource for all things plumbing-related. "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook" encourages diverse content creation.
Finally, let's talk about delivering that knockout punch, the right hook.
Remember, this is the call to action, the moment you ask for something. But it's not just about asking, it's about *how* you ask.
Vaynerchuk emphasizes three key characteristics of a perfect right hook: It's simple and easy to understand. It's crafted for mobile devices. And it respects the nuances of the social network.
A good right hook might be a limited-time offer, a special discount, an invitation to an event, or a simple request to sign up for a newsletter. But it always provides value and makes it easy for people to take action. It is never pushy. This aligns with the principles of "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook".
The author suggests a few different tests to measure the success of your social media efforts. One is the "engagement test." ... Another is the "conversion test."
In essence, "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook" is for anyone who wants to master the art of social media marketing and build meaningful relationships with their audience.
Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook
Give, Give, Give, Get
Content is king, but marketing is queen and runs the household
Your story isn't powerful enough if all it does is lead the horse to water; it has to inspire the horse to drink, too
Make it simple, but significant
If you're not in the game to win, then what's the point?
It's not about any one platform. It's about the story you're telling
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