Guidelines for soical media marketing
09/02/09 05:47 AM
1. Engage with influencers in interactive communities so that the message can be spread within the communities. Remember that positive, or negative, interactions can spread rapidly within social networks. Listen to the social network to identify influencers.
2. If you expect immediate results or want to band-aid a troubled brand you're barking up the wrong tree. Social media programs sometimes will not yield results for months and requires consistent participation.
3. Talk the talk and walk the walk leads to establishing credibility. As with any new relationship it takes time to establish a relationship and trust. Remember you walking onto a level playing field and users have little time for corporate propaganda or sales messages.
4. All feedback is actionable. Target customers who complain and see what you can do to change their attitude towards your product or brand. Sometimes these people just want to know that someone is listening to their complaints and will do something about it. However be aware that there are some people who complain about everything who you will never be able to change.
5. I'd love the change the world. Believe it or not a great emotional message can spread quickly throughout the world and unite audiences.
6. The collective is the value. One person is hard to reach but within the collective network groups of people are valuable.
7. Be genuine. Talk to people online the same way that you would talk to them as if you were talking to them in a bar or cocktail party. People are fed up with "elitism" and the more genuine you sound the better your chances of making a real connection.
8. Don't resist getting dirty. Look your customers are talking about you regardless of your interaction with them. If your company screws up than admit it and try and make it right.
Sounds like common sense stuff ha? Well remember more than half of all social media programs will fail and Wal*Mart is still looking for a successful social media model.
