Whether you are in social media or any kind of business one of the most important traits you can demonstrate is consistency!
Consistency is defined as being marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity and free from variation or contradiction; showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom. Doesn’t that also sound like a great rule of thumb for a social media practice?
Humans tend to be attracted to balance and consistency. A person can only be as successful in their life’s endeavors as they are consistent in their life’s behaviors. In other words you have to “walk the talk.” This is true on the “online or offline world.”
This means that as a leader, your actions (what you say, what you do, where you spend your time, what you deem as being important, the decisions you make etc) must be consistent… day in and day out. That way, the people who follow what you say and do – will see consistency in your actions and behaviors.
Here are five common statements I make when speaking or writing on the importance of consistency.
1. Consistent people tell the truth. They do not need to remember what “partial truth/falsehood” they might have told.
2. Consistent people are loyal to their employers and/or employees – each and every day.
3. Consistent people are well rounded and maintain a healthy balance in all aspects of their lives. They know who they are and what’s important.
4. Consistent people set goals and track them to be sure they are growing in the mental, physical, social, and spiritual aspects of life.
5. Consistent people are ones that we recognize as having great integrity anytime their name is mentioned. They are never too high… or too low.
In short, success on the web is also about consistency. Consistency does not mean that a leader is boring but instead implies they are solid, reliable and tuned-in. So, my challenge to you (and to me)—is to work on being consistent in all social media activities. If we do this, we will all be amazed, at the return on investment of the time we put in.
Ryan T. Sauers