So, if you’re like any other organization out there these days, you’re wondering about all the hype surrounding Social Media Marketing. If you’re not, you should be because as you sit pondering it, millions of other organizations have already jumped right in and are developing relationships with your potential customers….for FREE!  

Now that I’ve got your attention, let’s start with the basics. What is Social Media Marketing? Wikipedia reads “Social Media Marketing is the act of using social networks, online communities, blogs, wikis or any other collaborative Internet form of media for marketing, sales, public relations and customer service.” You’re most likely familiar with the terms Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr and You Tube as they are some of the more popular social media networks. 

Now, how to use Social Media effectively is another story. The beauty of Social Media Marketing is its conversational and allows your fans, friends, and followers to connect with the more human side of your business. Although you have objectives in mind when beginning this process, the key is to reach them tactfully.  You want to interact with your online community and provide them with information relevant to them. If you are forever trying to sell to them, they will simply stop listening. Like all of your marketing efforts you need to have a Social Media Strategy.

The benefits that come from using Social Media Networks effectively are undeniable. Dell for instance reported 6.5 million dollars in sales last year due to their Dell Outlet Twitter account. Not bad!

Yet while the benefits are undeniable, there are still plenty of sceptics out there. Common concerns include:

• “What do I do if I get negative comments?” I say, there are always going to be people out there who have negative things to say, this way you can interact with them directly and personally put the fires out.
• “I just don’t have the time!” You need to make the time or find someone within the organization who can. This is big and it’s just going to get bigger. You need to get in the game! A properly constructed Social Media Marketing Strategy will help keep you on track and cut down on the time you spend on it.

So today I challenge you. Take the first step and research these opportunities. Ask your friends and co workers for their thoughts and make the decision that is right for you and your organization.

Join me in January as I host a workshop on this topic and we explore this phenomenon in more detail including which Social Networking Communities you need and which you can skip and how to construct a Social Media Marketing Strategy that really works.

Click here for more info on this workshop.

Kerry-Anne