Social Media

Social Media – What It Is and Why Your Business Needs It

The term “social media” is being tossed around more than ever before, yet there are many areas (and many businesses, maybe yours) that haven’t even heard the term – let alone what it means.

Allow me to help.

“Social Media” is basically information generated by the same group that consumes it, a closely-related term is “user-generated content” (but it’s not as catchy, and therefore not used as much).  Many of the most visited sites on the Web are social media sites:  Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter (and a host of similar sites that focus on various niches).  If you’re using one or more of these sites, you probably get the idea that you can post (or tweet) information to other people pretty easily.

So, why do you need it for business?  Speed, Focus, and Results.

Speed:  Social media is fast – breaking news or juicy gossip spreads like wildfire across these sites (when something spreads really crazy, we say it goes viral).  Hot deals on a product, a special sale, introducing a new product…these can also produce significant results very quickly for businesses who use social media properly.

Focus:  Social networking sites like these enable businesses to gather followings of interested parties – sometimes many thousands.  Engaging with this network and providing meaningful information (without the constant pitches) and listening to their feedback should be every marketer’s dream – it’s like a never-ending focus group.

Results:  Yep, I said it – Using social media effectively improves the bottom line.  And not just for big companies with enormous ad budgets, it works for local small business as well.

If you’re not trying it, you’re missing out.  A recent Inc. Magazine survey indicated 91% are trying social media – that means your competitors are giving it a shot.  Want someone experienced on your side to help you make sense of everything, and turn your business goals into a social media reality?  Please drop me a line.

If you are doing it, are you getting the results you want?  Would it help to have and experienced review of your process, message, and strategy?  I can quickly and affordably analyze your situation and recommend changes to push your campaign to the next level.