Almost everyone knows how easy it can be to set up and use social media. What many people don’t know, however, is how difficult it can be to use such media correctly, so don’t be a victim of this problem.
The San Diego Union Tribune recently published an article that discusses this issue, so don’t be a victim of this social media strategy mistake. The central point of which is – as social media becomes increasingly popular as a way to facilitate communication between companies and consumers, more businesses are rushing out to start using social media without first developing a social media strategy for doing so. As the article states, they get blinded by the “Bright Shiny Object Syndrome” – they get lured in by the possibilities of reaching millions of consumers online but forget to do their homework beforehand.
So how do you avoid getting caught up in the hype of social media? The first step is to listen to the dialogue. Many helpful tools (both free and fee based) allow companies to monitor what is being said about them online. Listening to what consumers are saying not only helps identify key influencers, but also helps discover where the conversations are taking place.
In addition to listening effectively, companies should ask themselves certain questions such as: how will social media help meet company goals and objectives, how can social media energize fans, create engagement and facilitate word-of-mouth activities, and how will our brand messages come to life in the social media arena?
Social media is a great way to determine whether or not your company is meeting its brand promises.
Social media is a powerful tool if used correctly. It can be a great way to determine whether or not a company is meeting its brand promises. However, used without a strategy, social media can mean running the risk of wasting time, resources, and opportunities. Develop a strategy and learn how social media can work for you.
