The KISS principle is an acronym for Keep it simple, stupid! The principle promotes simplicity.
I’ve been working in Web, marketing and social media for about 10 years now. One of the most consistent factors of success is keeping it simple. If you have the resources to develop great Facebook or smart phone applications, great, go for it. It’s easy to get caught up with all that is glitz and glamour – This Facebook page, has a great new app or they have a fantastic mobile campaign. Ultimately, what is going to move your product or service or increase your brand’s reputation is building those relationships.
Facebook apps can give your brand or product great wings, but if it isn’t backed up with some longer term plan, it will most probably only give you temporary fame. It can give you great buzz until the next flashy thing comes along, but a great relationship can last forever. Mobile is where the web is headed, an iPhone or Android apps can have great value, but as Seth Godin recently pointed out,
[t]here’s a little worse than a one in a thousand chance that your app will appear in front of someone interacting with the store at the first level. [...] Once again, the lesson of the long tail is this: you can’t count on the gatekeeper to do your promotion for you.
In other words, it’s up to you to move the needle. Social media is all about relationships so work on those before worrying about shiny new tools. Bells and whistles are fun, but don’t forget to connect in a personal way with people that truly love your product.
(Photo credit: clevercupcakes)
