How do you build mutually beneficial relationships in social media? Be real, transparent, genuine and engage in the discussion. Social media is about the two-way street of communication. This goes for high profile celebrities, busy CEOs and time-strapped business owners.
With many avenues of social media going mainstream, many have jumped on board just to have a presence. They are there only to push their own information, compete in gaining tons of followers, and sell their product or service. Some use ghost bloggers and auto responders, completely missing the benefits and essence of social media. This powerful medium provides an opportunity to get real feedback direct from the source – your audience.
At the Blogworld New Media Expo, a celebrity panel including, Anthony Edwards, Jermaine Dupri, Matt Goss and Robin Antin, had a candid discussion about social media and how they use it. Each are prime examples of how individuals and organizations can tap into the social media world and use it effectively.
Another example is the General Motors Marketing Executive, Bob Lutz. David Meerman Scott posted a blog on how Lutz effectively communicates across several avenues.
Check out how these celebrities and executives are utilizing social media, or research other companies with a large online presence, and figure out what works best for your brand. Just remember to be genuine.
How is your brand using Facebook? While some companies are just figuring out how to navigate the space, some have learned how to tap into it and utilize it as a powerful communications tool. Regardless of where you stand, and your level of knowledge, don’t be afraid to jump in and start using it.
Last month Facebook made it even more vital for companies to be in this space via Pages. The companies leveraging it to its fullest have seen major traffic spikes on their pages. Facebook may not be for every company though. By that I mean, those that are only interested in using it as a one-way form of communication or an information push, and those that don’t make the time to get involved in the discussion on their pages. That said, I do believe almost any organization can and should benefit from it – with creativity, open-mindedness and embracing the idea of two-way communication.
The Advance Guard produced a 25-page white paper, and recently updated it. It’s a living, breathing document, so continually check back for updates. This is an amazing tool for getting started.
Benefits:
Community – build a community around your brand. Your updates will be aggregated in your fan’s newsfeeds. This gives you the opportunity to capture friends of your fans who will see their newsfeeds.
Engage – utilize tabs to post updates, news and press releases; build buzz around events; post photos of fans (and tag them in the photos); upload videos; and start discussions (but be prepared to contribute).
Google Juice – every post, photo, video, discussion, etc. increases rankings on Google searches and other search engines. Keep your content fresh and relevant, and be sure to link back to your Web site and other social networks you are a part of.
Check out The Advance Guard’s whitepaper and research the brands that are using Facebook and using effectively. See what you like, what you don’t like. Be creative and be open. Just plugin.
So you’ve created something remarkable, but how will you spread the word?
Wired PR a Phoenix-based public relations agency connects you and your message with the people who matter most to your business. Our number one goal is to actively engage your audience through traditional and new media and community outreach initiatives.
We hope our site serves as an informative tool for business owners, entrepreneurs and other PR professionals.
