New Years Resolution: Learn How Social Media Works For Business
Are you a Business Owner who hands over your social media management to someone internally or externally because they “know how it all works?” Big deal they know how Facebook or Twitter works, they’re just tools. How are they with online marketing or at producing content that is aligned with the strategy and goals you have for your business. In my experience working with SMEs I find many Business Owners take a hands-off approach when it comes to social media and the most common reasons quoted is a lack of time to learn how it all works and/or holding a belief that social media is the domain of the young.
I’m going to dismiss the latter reason quickly for the simple fact that social media is now a part of life and one way or the other it is a part of yours. On the other hand, lack of time is a real problem for SMEs, with many doing whatever it takes, regardless of hours, to stay on top of all that is going on relating to their business. When it comes to introducing new systems or tools like CRM or accounting packages it is standard practice to invest in training. It’s also acknowledged it will take training, time and practice before everyone is using the new tool to its full effectiveness. And yet this practical ‘real-world’ thinking is often forgotten when a business enters the online world.
Let me explain. I constantly hear Business Owners say, “I don’t know how Facebook works myself, I never use it.” So when I’m trying to talk with them about the customer experience on that same platform, the one they have chosen to promote their services on, the same one that has access to 1Billion users , they have no practical experience of how it works. Which seems a little remiss given it’s your business at stake.
In order for you to understand how Social Media works means taking a walk in the shoes of your online community. It requires you to become a user on the site(s) you’ve chosen to promote your business. You’ll learn how people interact and engage online with Brands, the kind of content that grabs attention and what turns people away. Armed with practical user experience combined with the vision you have for your company and shared with those tasked to execute it the direction and goals for your online marketing become clear. The content you share is better, it becomes more targeted and in turn engagement levels increase.
Images source: Creative Commons
As New Year’s resolutions go, if you’re an SME Business Owner, using social media to market your business, isn’t it in your interest to have top of the list, ‘Learn how Social Media works in business?’
To your online success!
Carole Smith of SynNeo, is a Social Media consultant, Keynote Speaker, Business Coach and Blogger who helps SMEs use social media to boost their brand online, attract new customers, and increase revenue.
You can contact Carole via email on carolesmith@synneo.ie follow her on Twitter https://twitter.com/CaroleSmith_ or say ‘hello’ on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SocialMediaCoachIE
New Years Resolution: Learn How Social Media Works For Business
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Friday, January 25, 2013
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