5 Social Media Musts for Corporate 2012

Social media is fun and games ... but it isn't all fun and games. There's also a lot of serious business to be had, especially for modern marketers who mean business. What should you be doing to make the most of your social media marketing program? Here's a short list of five must-dos for social media success in 2012:  Have a strategy. Create a plan. Stop trying to be everything to everyone and develop a strategy that will help you achieve your objectives. Then, follow best practices for creating goal-oriented tactical plans. Get creative with your content. Social media requires a lot of engaging content if you want to stand out. So, stop being boring and start resonating with your audiences by creating content with personality. Know what you'll do in a crisis. A crisis played out on social media spreads far—and fast. Now's the time to create the necessary plans and polices, and empower your staff to act quickly when a crisis develops. Measure. Measure. And measure again. (Did we say measure?) Start by setting SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound) goals for audience attention, attitude, and action. Make Available a Real-time Purchasing System.  Once a relationship is established in the online community, your fans will gain your trust and want to buy your product or service.  Don't make it difficult for them! Without a plan to reach out, it will be most difficult to win fans over.

Social Media Video

Not long ago - the year was 2000 - we heard many people and companies make "non-belief" comments about the internet like many do today with social media.  Kind of funny when you think about it.

Social media has captured the attention and awe of the marketing world with the promise of increased customer engagement and lower marketing costs. Yet behind the buzz lies the question of how to measure its success. With no standard means of measurement, it is difficult to decipher the value of different platforms and determine the true ROI of social media marketing. To make sense of the situation, SMC wants to share an eye-opening video based on recent findings and figures. Watch this short video on the facts, factors, methods and metrics that businesses need to know in understanding the real return of social media.

Advice from the Social Media Experts

Social Media marketers share their secrets to social success:

• Start with the Right Strategy - "Align with the goals of your department. That's a good starting place. In most cases your department strategy should also align to a larger corporate strategy. We don't want a communication strategy that is at odds with our service strategy." (Shannon Paul, Blue Cross Blue Shield)
• Know Your Objectives - "Tie your social media activities to existing objectives, such as increasing online sales, driving web traffic or boosting attendance at your next webinar or offline event. Set a reasonable target, see what happens and use it as a benchmark for future campaigns." (David B. Thomas, Radian6)
• Deliver Relevant Content - "Deliver the right content, at the right time, in the right channel to the right customer (or partner). Relevant content happens as a result of listening, thought leadership, Google insights, and community sentiment." (Michael Brito, Edelman Digital)
• Develop Meaningful Relationships - "Use social media as a platform for developing relationships. Show your thought leadership by answering questions on LinkedIn — it could lead to new contacts and leads." (Shashi Bellamkonda, Network Solutions)
• Integrate into Your Marketing Mix - "Don't leave opportunities on the table; explore how you can extend your marketing effort by integrating social elements into your PR, events and customer support activities." (Jane Price, Marketing Consultant)

• Measure What Matters - "Distill social media measurement down to core metrics that your company is already measuring that have history behind them. When you show what social media is or isn't delivering there is a conversation that can take place." (Nichole Kelly, Full Frontal ROI)

• "And let's not forget to a bullet point that sits in a category of its own: Call-To-Action.  People, in general, want to be sold.  So, a simple call-to-action button or link must be provided for those who wish to buy.  K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple and Smart!"  (Mike Harley, SMC)

 

Creative Marketing Concept

Channel Partners, what are they?   How do we find them? 

Simplified Answers:  Corporations, Associations, Large Travel Agencies, Chambers and anyone else who could send business your way.  The sign below shows one way.  Of course, there always the glass bowl on the counter approach.

Real Conversation:  In speaking with the owner of VIP Park & Ride serving Jacksonville International Airport and Jaxport (cruise terminal), a conversation brewed up this week over channel partners and how VIP wanted to use smartLUIS to own their market.  After some going back and forth, April 15th came up as a day everyone knows, and loves.  So, why not take advantage of a negative and turn it into a positive?

Good Job Luis Sr and Jr.  And good luck.  We look forward to hearing the results of your efforts.

Interesting Marketing Approach from VIP PARK & RIDE

Who said a picture is worth a thousand words?  

This picture is worth saving thousands of dollars!

At VIP Park & Ride in Jacksonville, Florida, signs like this are located on the counter and in shuttle buses.

Android. Apple. Microsoft. And Blackberry and Palm? It's now how you start, but how you finish!

What will 2012 be like for consumers and businesses with respect to smart phones, tablets and desktops?  And where does SMC fit in with this fast-moving and continually evolving technology industry?

To answer the first question, we found a recent article to share with you.  So, if you have any of the mobile devices mentioned above or plan to purchase one in the near future, the information provided may help you in determing a long term business strategy.  Click Here to read article.

For the second question, SMC is truly "skating to where the puck is going".  As a Microsoft shop, SMC will continue to build and support the latest and greatest technologies for our clients to save time and money while staying current with todays (and tomorrows) innovation.  It is easy to get excited about SMC's future.

Assuming most of you are using Microsoft Office Suite in your home or at your office, then we believe you will find Windows 7.5 (soon to be Windows 8) to be an awesome upgrade.  A centralized environment (Phone, Tablet, PC, Bing, Office Suite and much more) to make life easier with a single touch.  To help you learn a little more about Microsoft's plan to launch their new 'Live Tile' application on Tablets and Desktops, here are some images of devices along with a short video. 

Mobile

Tablet

 

Desktop

Click Video to See the Future

As a user of the new Windows Mobile OS (Operating System), here is my testimonial:

"I have had a mobile device connected to my hip and ear since 1989.  I have used at some point in my life most high end smart phones.  There is a big difference between finding hundreds of apps on a phone to having live tiles updating your favorite apps real time.  The Windows Smart Phone is fun, simple and logical.  Can't wait for the Tablet and PC version to integrate all the apps".   M. Harley

REVIEWS: How important are they? One word "very"!

Customer Reviews are essential for several reasons.  Let's focus on just two of them for this posting.

Reputation - I always say that people do not read as much as they use to.  Most would agree, and statistics show the majority is visual.  Enough said.  Fact is, people read reviews, good or bad, and then make a decision based on others experiences.  Have you ever read a really bad review of a product or service, and thought, I'll buy it anyway.  Not likely!  Your online reputation is everything.  If a customer is happy, get a review.  And if you don't know how, please continue reading.

Run a test on anyone under the age of 35 and ask if they read reviews on their Smart Phone/PC before making a purchase.  This should curve your thinking a little.

Search Engine Marketing - Reviews mean content, and content means search-ability on Google, Bing, and Yahoo.  It really is that simple.  You can either play in the game or watch the game being played.  Many people are happy and/or content with status quo (or doing the same thing over and over again with hopes to receive a different result).  If you want help getting your business to be front and center, reviews will help in the process.

Having said that, please Click Here to learn the Top 10 Tips for collecting Reviews from your Customers.