Does the customer I'm targeting really want to talk to me through this channel?

12/29/09 01:43 PM Filed in: Social Media Branding | #in

Consumers are bombarded with advertising and marketing throughout their online experiences. Do you really want to be just another annoying brand? Make sure you are reaching your target audience through a channel where they are willing and interested in speaking with your brand and that you have something of value to talk about. Social media is not going to save your brand.

Time is the new currency and consumers don't have a lot of time to talk with brands that don't provide them value. Sure there are a lot of brands with thousands of followers but does that mean they these followers are going to become customers ? The answer to that would be "hell no!"

So then I don't need to be worried about social media then.

Yes, you do. Consumers expect you to be online and in social media if they need help or have a complaint. This means that even though a social media tactic may play a small role in your integrated marketing plan you still need to listen to what your customers are saying and please be prepared to respond in Internet time.

Source: Cone 2009 New Media Study
(click to enlarge)

Tags: Social behavior