NetGains Marketing

There are so many ambiguous definitions out there, and understandably, even more “Social Media Experts” who want to weigh in on the elusive term “social media” as their interpretation of how to define it. For instance, Booz Allen Hamilton defines the phenomenon as “electronic tools, technologies, and platforms.” Wikipedia prefers to dub social media as “Web-based and mobile technologies.” Finally, Duct Tape Marketing nominates social media as “the use of technology combined with social interaction.” Got all that? If you don’t, how are you expected to use it?

So how you to understand what Social Media is, and more importantly how do you utilize Social Media to grow your business?

In order understand this “field” that everyone is talking about, we first need to reframe the conversation. Specifically, social media strategist Ari Herzog has argued, when you reach for the term “social media,” don’t spew broad buzzwords like Facebook or Twitter or YouTube. Instead:

• Narrow your focus:  Use Twitter to respond to customer complaints. Check out how Comcast does it!
• Build brand loyalty: Bisnow uses e-newsletters, Skittles builds brand loyalty on Facebook, and the Wine Library does it with podcasts.
• Issue blog posts and tweets instead of news releases: Google does with its blog, and as its now-former CEO did with Twitter.
• Re-purpose your existing content: thus growing your audience, as The New York Times does with Twitter, the FBI does with Scribd, and as Dell does with SlideShare.
• Manage your reputation: as countless companies do — or try to do — with Wikipedia.
• Conduct crisis communications: as Johnson & Johnson does with its blog.
• Hold contests: to improve your algorithms, as Netflix did with the Netflix Prize.
• Crowd source your challenges: as the U.S. Army did with its field manuals.
• Demonstrate thought leadership: as recruiter Lindsay Olson does with her blog.
• Research free advertising opportunities: as Allstate does on YouTube.
• Showcase your wares: as Zappos does with its blog
• Boost your sales: as Dell does on Twitter.
• Recruit employees: as Booz Allen does on LinkedIn.

Call us today at 1-877-642-4246 ext 2 to learn about the importance of reaching new and savvy stakeholders using Social Media platforms. We will show you Strategies on HOW blogging can generate leads or HOW to explore video tools that will help you develop a brand identity. By defining your Social Media on a case-by- case basis our Consultants will help you become familiar with Strategies that are easy to execute and help you Grow Your Business Online!