Leverage the "Tuned In" Audience: How to LISTEN

What is the difference between traditional marketing activities and social media activities?

Well for one, most traditional marketing activities merely circle the target instead of actually participating one to one with them.

Here's what I mean:



See how the activities simply rotate around the customer? But never actually get any closer or touch them?

Now look at social media:



A web audience is "tuned in". Meaning that they proactively SEEK OUT, SHARE, AND DEVELOP content. Do not ignore these possible brand advocates or brand haters. Respond to blogs, tweets, etc. the very same way you would a customer service call - in fact that department is likely the best qualified group to handle online grievances as they have already been trained to avoid any actions that are not permitted by your organization.

But I will say this - there is nothing more powerful than leveraging your highest ranking officials in this capacity as well.

The key is LISTENING.

Here are two simply tactics for listening:
Set up Google Alerts
They'll find your company's name whereever it's being used and serve up links to you in the frequency you specify.
You should also monitor tweets. For this, I recommend TweetBeep.

How do I start to represent my company on social networking sites?

Today's Truth: How do I start to represent my company on social networking sites?

This is not hard at all!

1) Use your LinkedIn profile to add information about your company - keep it POSITIVE and TRUTHFUL!
2) Create a profile on LinkedIn for your company. CAUTION: You may not be the "authorized" person to do this - proceed carefully. If you are, simply create it and share with everyone. If you're not sure where your company stands, get great examples of companies who have great profiles to share first.(Again, Southwest takes the cake!)
3) Also check out your competitors. Share their profiles if they have them.
4) Another way is to create a Facebook page for your company.
5) Do you have training videos you can upload? Add them to YouTube, LinkedIn, etc. This is free and uses great stuff your company has already paid for and completed.

That's how you can get started!

The next truth? What is the importance of completing online profiles?

Keep Clicking,

Michelle