Seamlessly Integrate Social Media Into Your Businesses
Posted: July 02, 2011
Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have increasingly become a norm rather than an exception in the business world. If your business is still contemplating the ‘Should I?’ decision on social media, you need to browse through the millions of social media success stories and seek some inspiration.
Just in case you missed it, yesterday was Social Media Day! Last year, I wrote a piece dedicated to Social Media Day celebrations. This year though, I feel the social media day phenomenon has been largely overshadowed by Google+ and Facebook’s pending announcement for next week. In the past, I’ve often emphasized on the importance of social media for businesses. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have increasingly become a norm rather than an exception in the business world. If your business is still contemplating the ‘Should I?’ decision on social media, you need to browse through the millions of social media success stories and seek some inspiration.
A couple of days back, I read some interesting comments from Tim Gibbon, director of communications consultancy Elemental, who strongly believes that businesses must avoid ‘knee-jerk’ reactions to social media. He says that in place of a social media strategy, enterprises should insert the approach of using these platforms into a general media plan where “it is seamless into business operations.”
While I agree with some of his remarks, I don’t think any ‘general’ plan can replace a social media strategy.
Importance of a social media strategy
I strongly believe that whether it’s measuring the ROI on your social media efforts or saving a dying business with social media, building a social media marketing strategy is one of the basic building blocks to leveraging social media for your business.
I agree that a number of businesses quickly setup Facebook and Twitter profiles believing that it will do a world of good to them and that’s their definition of joining the social media bandwagon. That’s precisely what I call a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction to social media.
Unified Approach
I second the opinion that there needs to be a shift in the way that brands, media owners, technology providers think and work together otherwise the right conditions won’t be present for seamless communications to be created and managed effectively.
However, I can safely bet that the one size fits all rule simply doesn’t work in social media. I’m sure the intention is to encourage businesses to have a uniform approach towards all social networks, rather than just being limited to Facebook and Twitter.
Though its early days, but Google+ threatens to change the social media game for good. Therefore, I think businesses are better off having a concrete social media strategy which accounts for the nuances of each social network involved.
On the auspicious occasion of ‘social media day’, I encourage my fellow social media loyalists to pledge their support to the cause of social media and help more businesses take the plunge.
Biz Tip Source: SMedio
About the Author: Douglas Idugboe, Digital and New Media Marketing Strategist. Founder and Editor in Chief of Smedio! A Canadian Bestselling Author, Marketing Strategist, Speaker and Trainer, Who Loves Technology