In media today companies cannot ignore Social Media. Statistics now show that more people are using social media then are currently using email. That figure alone is staggering! Social media has changed the way we look at things and how we communicate with one another. Thin about it, how often have you send a video that you thought was funny to a friend, or they have sent one over to you. We all heard about the Domino’s video and how viral it went. I heard about it on Twitter before I ever saw it broad casted on the news or the Today show. Like it or not Social media is here to stay.
So what do companies due about? There are a number of simple tips to help get them started:
- Decide to fully invest in a Social Media awareness and presence. There is no half way here folks commit and go all in on this one.
- Begin to listen to the general Internet community and see where you target audience is talking. I cannot stress this enough, you MUST listen before you get started.
- Begin to start a presence on all of the major sites. When you start a presence you should at this stage just establish an account and then sit back and watch those around you with that service.
- Places you need to have a presence on:
- Linked In
- YouTube
- Google Profile
- The sites listed above are just the start, there are many mainstream sites that are being used in Social Media these days and you will have to determine which ones you will need to have a presence on based on where your target audience is socializing.
- Start to slowly engage with your audience on all of these sites. Create a Facebook fan page, start reaching out to people on Twitter…etc.
- Monitor your company on these sites EVERYDAY! This is crucial and is a must. Since you are now connected you need to see what others are saying about you, and watch it often.
- When you see negatives turn them into positives. If people are stalking bad about your service or product, reach out to them and try and find out what they dislike. Offer them a free trial, or correct and fix the issue if possible.
- When a crisis occur react swift and honest with your customers, it is the only way.
- Be personal it is the actual communication that counts, after all this is SOCIAL media right.
So now it is not a matter of if you will embrace Social Media, it is more like when will you embrace Social Media, so come on in the water is great.
Be Well
Frank
