We get to practice communications, we don't "know" it. The largest part of the budget in time and effort should be spent on listening, seeing, and testing the application of what we learn.
Participation is a lot more productive when it is focused and thus sincere. You are there because you want to be, and you are deriving value from it.
Resist the temptation of going in with a bunch of answers. Answers are not conducive to learning. Instead, when your posture is one of true inquiry, then you start cooking.
Remember that scientists and inventors are by nature curious people, individuals who have plenty of questions. Questions are you key to discovery. You won't know until you ask.
Now that you're asking, does social media make sense for your business? Two more questions:
- if your customers are online, what is your purpose?
- with that focus in mind, what is the context?
You can't give away what you don't have... and you can't take it from those who do have it. With that in mind, is social media the cure? [inspired by Seth Godin]