Small companies take note!

With all of the hype surrounding social media, it seems that many companies in today's business world are jumping on the bandwagon without much thought or planning. In class, we discussed how social media should be part of a company's strategy, not the whole strategy, and this article I read definitely supports that thought.

"...I explain that social media is just one channel that has to integrate with else you are doing..."

I think a lot of companies make the mistake of assuming that social media is just a way to connect with consumers. Once they make a Facebook page or Twitter account, they monitor it occasionally, but don't really use it to add value. I also find many B2B companies neglect to use social networking. It was really difficult for me to find information about a few consulting firms I interviewed with for co-op, and I was actively looking. Imagine how difficult it is for consumers!

Some key social media tips for small companies include:

• Ensure you update posts frequently, and with a variety of content. Think about what kinds of material would add value for your consumers, don't just push your marketing material. For example, some companies have blogs where they comment on overall industry trends. If you don't make updates frequently, people will lose interest. There's no point in having 50 followers on Twitter if you aren't giving them any news to follow.
• Social media should be supported by a strategy, and measured by key performance indicators. You need to be aware of its effectiveness, and how to improve. 
• Advertise your social marketing through other mediums to spread the word. 

I really encourage you to read the full article for more tips!