The new Facebook WordPress plugin has generated a great deal of excitement.  Web and social media enthusiasts (myself included) applaud the integration and ability to cross publish from websites (blogs) to Facebook time lines and/or Facebook pages.  There are however some dangers and pitfalls to look out for.  No, not dangerous like aliens invading or Mac disappearing from the computer landscape.  Dangerous in the sense of becoming too hands off, lazy, complacent with your social media use.

Far too often social media is viewed as a one way street (how ironic).  Post something, someone will respond or share and hopefully that person will share again…and so on.  Between Hootsuite, social media plugins, and other apps, a business, non-profit or individual can spend their social media life posting, and never actually visit their Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Pinterest page.   With the addition of the Facebook plugin on WP, it is now even easier than ever to never visit your social pages. Update your blog or website and it automatically goes to your social networks.

At Encompass Marketing when we develop social media plans for clients, it always includes (mandates) interaction (sharing, commenting, re-tweeting, liking…) not just posting.  These are the basics, the basis of a social media campaign.

Embrace technology and innovation, but don’t stray too far the strengths of social media, that is of course, actually being social and engaging with others.