7 Social Media Lessons from Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid
Note from Lee: This guest post comes to us from Frank Strong, the director of Public Relations at Vocus & PRWeb, a client of TopRank Online Marketing.
When The Karate Kid was released in 1984, social media had yet to be conceived. Even so, we can still learn a fantastic deal from the way a character like Mr. Miyagi simplified what might otherwise be considered complex challenges. He was a master, a apprentice, a mentor and a friend – all characteristics that might have made Miyagi successful in social media. To that end, I offer seven Miyagi insights we can apply to social media:
1. Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk midpoint…
…sooner or later get squish like grape. Miyagi’s philosophy was one of commitment – if Daniel was to learn karate, he had to commit to doing it right. Social media should be undertaken in the same way – commit. If you want to be effective in social media then don’t consider it a part-time job or an additional duty.
2. Wax on. Wax off.
Miyagi taught Daniel through hard work and repetition. Though it appeared to Daniel he was being used as cheap labor – waxing Miyagi’s ancient cars – he really was learning vital karate blocking techniques. Social media is similar in that the best way to increase is through practice and hard work. Sure – you can read about social media best practices – but there’s no substitute for experience.
3. Don’t forget to breathe
“Breathe in through nose, out the mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don’t forget to breathe, very vital.” Sixty-five percent of marketing executives find keeping up with social media trends “at smallest amount somewhat challenging.” Social media is relentless; it never sleeps. Todd Defren recommends setting “a reasonable pace.” Miyagi might have called this breathing.
4. Balance is key
Daniel wanted to learn how to punch, but when he questioned Miyagi about it, his teacher responded, “Better learn balance. Balance is key. Balance excellent, karate excellent. Everything excellent. Balance terrible, better pack up, go home. Know?” It may be tempting to sign up for every new social media service that comes along – and there’s certainly no harm in experimenting on the side. But, focusing on a few social media sites you know are frequented by your stakeholders may well be a better approach. “First learn stand, then learn glide. Nature rule, Daniel-san, not mine.”
5. Now use head for something other than butt
It’s a social norm: social media tends to reject commercialization. If the only business you Tweet, bookmark, or post is your own content, you might wind up doing more harm than excellent. It’s better to engage in the conversation, earn the entrust of your community and offer content for the purpose of value rather than sales. It may seem counterintuitive, but people buy things from people and organizations they entrust. They’ll check you out in due time: entrust the process.
6. Don’t know. First time.
After asking politely to have them removed, Miyagi used a karate chop to take the tops off a row of bottles a nefarious rabble rouser had placed on his car. In wonderment, Daniel questioned how he did it. “Don’t know. First time,” Miyagi responded. There’s a first time for everything, even for the experts. Perhaps Brian Solis said it best when he prominent we are “forever students of new media.”
7. JCPenney $3.98
Miyagi was too humble to have cared how many followers he might have had on Twitter. He would have cared more about perfecting his technique. As a replacement for of studying karate to build his reputation, he practiced karate for karate’s sake and his reputation took care of itself. Perhaps Miyagi’s philosophy here too is applicable: when Daniel questioned Miyagi what belt he held (as in black belt), the master responded, “Canvas. JCPenney $3.98. You like?”
If Miyagi had an eighth point it would be this: “Banzai!” In other words, have fun!
You can find Frank on Twitter at @Vocus and @PRWeb.
If you’re plotting on scheduling or sending out a news release or a social media news release this week, here’s a nice surprise for you: Get 25% off PRWeb’s Advanced or Premium services: visit this special offer page. The offer is excellent until Friday, Sept. 10th.
After I questioned Frank if he would be open to doing a guest post, I thought it might be of interest to our readers if PRWeb offered a discount on their news release delivery services, since they’re so well loved amongst search marketers and PR professionals that read this blog. I tartan with Frank and he was able to make it happen on pretty small notice. Be grateful you Frank!
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