SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT A FAD
September 23, 2009 by · Comments
If you haven’t already jumped on the social media speeding train, do not wait another moment. This is not a fad that is going to die out anytime soon. I just recently saw an article stating Facebook as the 4th largest website in the world- in the shortest amount of time.
Having worked directly with corporate organizations that are far removed from the use of social media or even the internet in general as a sales tool, I know what most businesses think immediately when faced with the idea: “It doesn’t fit our framework” or “I am afraid it will distract our employees who will then become less productive” In response I say, “you could only be so lucky.” Try getting 10 or so old school sales reps to just dip their feet into the social media pool is like …well, trying to teach an old dog new tricks. Furthermore if you can honestly tell me that the 200 million people on Facebook aren’t your customers, then I would say, “you’re in the wrong business.”
The truth, as hard as it may be for businesses to swallow, is that customers, (the ones that buy your products or services) are involved in social media and they much prefer to do research and make their purchases online. The reality is if you don’t get involved in social media immediately it may cost you a whole lot more than you would lose by at least trying it. Guessing that your next question is probably going to be “how?”, I have come prepared to offer some advice.
Don’t try to do it alone by researching and finding your way in the dark. That will most likely be a lesson in futility and cost you more blood sweat and tears than you can stand at the moment. Hire a professional who will lead the way, instruct your team and run with your brand in all the right directions. Hiring a managed service provider that can manage your campaign is a wise move and money well spent. Think of them like a temp or part time employee because they will need to integrate with your company to be effective. Consequently this happens to be a managed service providers strength within their market; their ability to integrate and manage your business over a long period of time.
Success in social media will not happen overnight and will not happen any sooner by simply thinking about it. Getting a team of individuals involved in something new can be very trying and time consuming and my guess is you have plenty of other business related activities to keep you busy, like running it. Seek out a managed service provider, and find one you like personally because they’re moving in.
You said you wanted to be successful didn’t you?
FACEBOOK LAUNCHES A NEW MARKETING TOOL
Facebook has launched their best widget ever. Finally facebook has come out with something to support the company pages that allows you to place a box on your website. This box contains streaming content and a button that will allow people to become fans of your Facebook page right from your website. Check out my side bar where I have placed it. The best part of it is that the box installs easily without any hassle’s, even on a blog. All I did was found the template page for the side posts and placed the very short code on that page. First time it worked perfectly which seems rare when installing new code on a blog. The widget also allows you to install it with or without streaming content or with or without the fan list. The box does tend to be a bit large so unchecking one of the two features from the company page where you originate the code will help to make the box a bit smaller.
This is a great new feature both for Facebook and for the Company pages because it allows companies to create a following and initiate interest in their Facebook page even when the user is not logged in or actually on Facebook at that moment. This will undoubtedely arouse even more interest to join facebook and to get them involved in the company pages that were until now sort of a deserted island on Facebook. It is nice to see Facebook offering some support for these very valuable and free means of company advertising. It seems until recently not many even knew about this area of opportunity on there. To get the code: Go to your company page. Directly underneath the profile picture or logo are several options. Click on “add a fan box” and facebook will automatically generate the code that you install onto your website or blog. Installation on your site will vary depending on where you want it. But all you have to do is paste the code on the page you want. It is as simple as that. Alter the code to change the box size or change the amount of fans it shows. If you want the box smaller and you have a lot of fans, then changing the number of fans to show will help to make the box smaller as well. Happy fan collecting!
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