Social Media and Business

Hey! Fabulous to see you back =) if you haven't already, subscribe to the RSS feed so that you don't miss a beat & sign up on the right to the Exclusive Members List & get your free Visibility Strategy & Enchanting Forest for Marketers report so you can find your money sites among other goodies!

When Social Media first jumped on the scene it was primarily used for personal purposes. But it has since gained tremendous momentum for businesses of all types.

Below is an excerpt of a conversation I had with someone earlier today (details omitted for privacy purposes):

Social Media is rapidly developing and many people think it’s just having a profile on MySpace or whatever site. So you have people jumping on board to throw your profile up without having any real understanding of Social Media. It’s not just a profile somewhere.

There’s more to it like creating visibility with interaction, networking and tying things together; fostering relationships; and, doing damage control (often without even doing direct damage control but more so creating such positivity that the little drop in the pool is no big ripple (because let’s face it negativity is always going to be out there and you can’t always make everyone happy, something may go wrong somewhere, someone might just not like you, or their expectations may have been too great)).

When I say damage control, I am referencing something like what you mentioned – “a former client complaining”. Having a presence allows you to build a positive appearance within communities to minimize the appearance of what little negativity might be out there, and sometimes even make someone unhappy happy (although that’s not always doable).

Being on the Social Media Map allows you to have your ear to the ground and know what’s going on that’s relative to your company or niche, as well as, again, foster relationships and possibly create evangelists, and give those evangelists outlets as well as incentives even if it’s nothing more than their personal relationship with you.

It can also help companies with future endeavors because they can “listen” and know what people are saying and what they want or don’t want.

It also allows you to be found. I’ve said time and time again that the days of the “yellow pages” are dwindling. Many people are now turning to the Internet to find whatever they are seeking rather than the phone book. This allows them to see an array of things about a company and, even more importantly, to connect via word-of mouth. And if you’re not on the map, they very well may find your competition instead of you. And sometimes, you can even find potential clients yourself by networking. With social media in place, we’re back to the basics with of word-of-mouth.

As I was typing this email I got a recommendation via Twitter. A marketer I have associated with recommended me to someone else…and I found that marketer by simply complimenting him on some work he had done and letting him know I added him to my blogroll on my new Social Media blog. Just an example of a small bit of the power social networks have.

I love it and I love helping people with their goals. I’m looking into doing some bigger and better things where Social Media is concerned as well…and that type of stuff just gets me all tingly! I want to really help give companies a boost with Social Media.

I can understand your company’s wariness about profiles and would love to help you ease them into this great new world! Many companies are blinded by the thought of negative impact so they shy away when the truth is if there’s something negative to be said, it will be said anyway and your not having any “in” to the social media world puts you at a possible disadvantage. That, they have to ask themselves:

1) how much risk are they at by not having that presence to do damage control, or at least have their ear to the ground, or simply be able to influence positively;

2) is their competition gaining this advantage over them;

3) is it their competition who will likely be found when someone searches for the service they provide because the competition has established a presence; or, because the competition is on various social platforms, they’re the one that got the “word-of-mouth” recommendation

4) are they losing potential connections with possible clients or other relationships by sitting outside of the ‘party’

5) are they showing that they are “in the know” and involved with current trends and communications

I could go on! So, in short, I hope that we can partner to show everyone that the benefits of participation outweigh the “perceived safety” of non-participation.

Of course, it’s also important to understand that Social Media is no overnight success (unless you’re already someone huge, like a celebrity or very major entity). This is a long-term venture that requires that understanding.

That’s a short version of some of the things I believe Social Media does for businesses. It’s a much more intimate resource than businesses may have had before and a very valuable avenue that should be nurtured. It’s one that you can travel with clients, potential clients, associates, friends, and others. And it can certainly be a profitable avenue if you nurture it with relationships and care.

I have quickly learned that many businesses are still very “Social Media Shy” and I believe that’s because they don’t really understand it on a deeper level. Whether it be that they’re worried about someone saying something negative or concerned that they can’t see the projected figures or ROI clearly, or thinking that its “just for fun”.

And ROI, that’s an entirely different discussion that’s going on in many places across the net right now. I’m not going to get into that at the moment, but it will be a topic of discussion.

While, of course, it’s important to measure your success with something, let’s keep in mind that we don’t need to over-complicate things either. I think this is something that intimidates people a bit -> over-complication. That fear of the unknown, fear of stepping outside of the comfort zone, or making something seem so complicated that you never really even stick your toe in.

Obviously, everyone’s situation is different but I often think of Michelle MacPhearson when I think of success on the Internet (and let’s keep in mind that she has made bookoo (sp?) bucks outside of the Internet Marketing niche). Having worked with her for quite some time, I don’t know that she has ever complicated her Social Media steps. I’ve always known her to “Keep It Simple” and “Just DO IT”. And she’s “Just Done It” to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Again, I realize each situation is different but my point is to stop overthinking everything and being afraid to try something new, or finding reasons not to do it or to put it off until you can overcomplicate it some more.

Go ahead, stick your toe in and test the water. I think you’ll find it enjoyable and may decide to stay a while! People just might be looking for you! Would you rather they find your competition because you’re not visible and not connecting? There’s a whole new world here on the Internet; connect with it/with us, foster relationships within the neighborhoods and take a virtual drive around town! Stake your claim on your own web properties.

We’re going to be talking a lot more about Social Media and Businesses; and, we will NOT be overcomplicating it! I get so tired of reading things that complicate the matter so much; it’s no more complicated than making the connections you make offline.

You establish a presence, you mingle, you utilize resources to hear what’s going on in the grapevine, you bring value, you take advantage of tools and ties, you connect with leads, you make friends and network, you contribute to your reputation and everything else you do in the offline world. Only now your reach is far greater than before! It’s very similar to when you started your business in the first place – Just like then, you have to dig in and get help where you need it.

If you want to talk further about Social Media and your business, I would be delighted to talk to you! Just contact me! And if you need connections for anything, please do let me know – I’m connected with a ton of great people involved in almost everything on the planet and would be happy to hook you up!

What’s your take on Social Media and businesses? Do you have a business that’s having great success in its Social Media venture? Are you still not sure about sticking that toe in? Is there something you’re primarily concerned about? Are you unsure if your business is a good fit for Social Media?

~K @areaK

Share and Enjoy: