Social Media Gone Wrrrrroooiiiigg... Hmmm...

I was driving around my neighborhood a few weeks ago and came across a business with an LED dot matrix sign that read, "follow us on twitter and receive 10% off services." This is a rather common sight today (minus the old school dot matrix sign) but what caught me off guard and made it stand out so much (aside from the old school dot matrix sign) was the nature of this business.

You may want to sit down for this one - Sewer Services. When I saw this I laughed, turned my head as I continued to drive past (almost running off the road), and wished I had my camera to go back and take a picture for future blog use, "Social Media Gone Wrong."

I have been meaning to go back there to take a picture of this sign to at least see if it truly existed or was merely a ghost of LED dot matrix signs past. Well I procrastinate so much I even procrastinate procrastination so I have given up on going back there to take the picture (the example picture will have to do).

Instead I decided to find them online to start my tirade about the misuse of social media.

After searching for some sewer services within the area, I came across this site which I am pretty sure is them (http://nicksplumbing.com/.) Upon landing on their site (complete with a "webout"), I proceeded to click on their Facebook profile.

So before I continue - let's evaluate where we are.

1. I saw a sign

2. I laughed at sign and almost wrecked

3. I remembered sign and it's "irony" if you will - I know it is not ironic but I can't think of a better word right now.

4. This sign has plagued me for a few weeks

5. This sign had so much power over me I decided to find this company...do you see where I am going with this?

When I first thought about writing a blog about this - which happened the second I saw the sign - I was going to come from the angle of how such a bad use of social media it was to pimp your Sewer Services via that channel. I mean come on really who would fan a business that deals well, in "business."

Then it hit me, "wait if it has stuck with me so much, they have 61 followers for a small local business, the content is updated frequently, they are involved in the community, is it really that wrong?" I answered myself, "Why no it is not and in fact it is pretty awesome."

They are getting submissions from fans to update their "cool sign," they are a drop off for MD Anderson Toy Drop, they post new commercials and have a YouTube channel, and they are a SchoolHouse Partner.

So if you have been thinking about using social media or are currently using it to no avail, take a tip from Nick's and find a way to stand out that makes sense for your business - but please don't use a Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm-Flailing Tubeman. So if you are say in the sewer business don't take yourself too seriously and do something that seems out of place - would you expect a plumbing company to be so involved in the community?

 In my best Budweiser men of genius voice, "Nick's Plumbing and Sewer Services, I salute you with your community involvement, sweet motorcycle, chutzpah to put yourself in the social media space, and most importantly your sweet sweet LED dot matrix sign.

If loving you is wrong, I don't want to be right!" 

I will definitely be using Nick's for all my sewer service needs!!