5 Steps to Evaluate Social networking for The Business of yours Without the Hype!
The hype is what usually kills any effort to incorporate social media into a marketing plan; and the hype has been huge. Expect the initial wave to die down, as serious marketers get focused on social media as a tool to pay attention to and also speak with the purchaser.
There are a whole lot of great content articles on the web regarding social media; the way to begin it, the best way to persuade the CEO you want it, how it’s not much of a panacea for poor marketing; the list passes as well as on. It is getting a considerable amount of many individuals and attention have created strong opinions (read love/hate) regarding social media. Regardless of how you feel about it, it is something which has be as severely evaluated as you would any business initiative.
The proper way to assess social media is to make a business case for making use of it. Use your current business plan as your cornerstone. You will find 2 areas where you are going to focus your efforts: marketing and customer service. By targeting prospects and customers you will be better in the position to evaluate the potential of its for a meaningful effect on the bottom line. Let us get going.
Step 1: Do the Homework of yours
First obtain the facts as you’d any new initiative. This can form your summary overview to provide to others in the business of yours, if you choose to move ahead.
1) Gain a working understanding of the tools: Twitter, LinkedIn, Blog sites, Facebook, YouTube, SlideShare, Foursquare, Tumblr, etc. to be able to monitor activity, well-liked tools are ViralHeat, Radian6, Spokesignal, etc. Each has the unique niche of its in the computer user community. You should know the pros and cons of each. While I do not usually recommend Wikipedia, it actually has a good section on program examples. Just wiki “Social Media” and you are there. There are links from each situation that supply more detail.
Two) Understand the trends as they have to do with your demographic. It is effortless to find. Nielson puts out quarterly reports on social media as do other companies. Create a couple paragraphs plus a chart or 2, just enough to prove to yourself that social networking is true and is really used by the target of yours demographic. The most recent Nielson report for Q3 2011 are found on the website of theirs.
3) Query at least 10 customers. This’s key. Social media, used correctly, isn’t around broadcasting commercials about the company of yours; it’s about the customers of yours. Speak with them. Where can they get tiktok views (scalar.usc.edu) the info of theirs? Would they visit a LinkedIn or Facebook group in case you provided them with useful information or special coupons? What type of information would they find useful? Make certain they’re happy to sign up for a LinkedIn group. Would they sign up for Twitter? Would they look at a demo or exercise class over YouTube? This is important as you begin building your communities. Users will not connect if there is no value. You have to find the proper way to encourage involvement.