Monday 28 November 2011

Social media - what does it add to your business?




I am meeting increasing numbers of business people who say "yes I must do social media", with an emphasis on the must. Other words which are used are should and ought or need. I have yet to meet anyone who says they really want to do something with social media and their company or organisation or explore this new communication channel.

So what is putting people into a frenzy and why do people feel it is such a tough one?

My first thought is that it involves technology. Many women I meet in particular and some men, are scared of technology and this is not new. Having worked in the field of e-learning I know that when technology offers a solution people will learn quickly how to use it. The real key to making technology friendly is firstly what's in it for me and secondly it being user friendly and easy.

Too many user solutions appear over complicated and when social media people get together their language can put people off. It seems like another world of apps, integration and plug ins. I often hear people say things like oh I use hoot suite for that or social oomph or tweet deck. It often makes it sound far more complicated than it really is and social media people should watch how they sell the media.

Twitter, facebook, linkedin involve very little effort to get going but once there then what? For many they have created profiles which just sit there a little like a policy on a shelf which doesnt really get used or read. It niggles in the back of their heads and they feel they should do something to make it live but actually dont know where to start.

Many business people are scared of losing face and so dont join in conversations and many tread into things without thought so that they make a faux pas and wonder why no one responds. There are thousands of blogs out there which tell you about social media manners but most of them are really simple and apply as much in the world of the internet as they do anywhere else. At a network meeting if someone asks you something or says hello do you turn around and walk away? Of course not, you are there to meet people and the same is true of social media. Not replying on line is rude and is as rude as ignoring someone at a networking event.

If someone does something for you or your business do you thank them? Of course and therefore when someone re tweets you or highlights a blog you have written do the same thing.   When you meet someone and they make it obvious they want something from you or all they are interested in is selling what happens? Yes it puts your back up so dont use social media as another leafletting exercise.

So what do you say? The same things you would if you were networking it is really that simple. Join in and chat make people laugh, tell stories, make small talk and take an interest. If you blog make sure they are informative.

Social media is something which we all do off line in business,  it is simply online networking. It may not get direct sales but it can add immeasurably to your business.

Here are some of the reasons to use social media in business:

1. Getting others to see you or your business as experts
2. Generating leads
3. Targeting specific companies, industries or demographics
4. Market research
5. Finding out what is going on in your industry
6. Engaging online customers and customer service improvements
7. Recommendations and endorsements

Your customers, potential customers and competition are online and communication is changing dont get left behind.




1 comment:

  1. Social media is the best platform for increasing business, you just try wallpost.com one of the best social networking website, here you can social ads with free of cost.

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