Social Media: Marketing Tool, Money Maker, Customer Connector?
I was at the monthly Akron Blogger meeting yesterday and as always the conversation expands to more than just blogging. We all shared our thoughts about social media and what we were currently working on to increase our visibility and credibility on the Internet.
I view social media as the ultimate customer connnector but others in the group referred to it as a way to drive traffic and grow sales and increase profitability.
“And connect to customers,” I would add at the end of someone’s comment. It got to be a joke, but is it really that funny? Am I out in left field?
If the Internet and Web 2.0 represent the Global Conversation then doesn’t the word “conversation” denote a personal connection?
How do you view social media? Since building customer relationships and earning customer loyalty are my battle cry, I view the time I spend on the web as a chance to:
- Learn from the leaders in the industry – read their posts, tweets and answers on LinkedIn
- Connect with those leaders – responding to their comments, jumping into the conversation
- Ask for advice from those leaders and potential customers – what have you seen work? What would you like to see happen? How can we make it better?
- Listen carefully for someone talking about my business and ensuring that if they aren’t happy that I jump on the opportunity to make it right
- Share my thoughts and experiences
Does that drive sales? No. Not really. Is it a waste of my time. NEVER.
How do you use social media? Do you have a strategy or is it hit or miss? Do you have a goal? How do you know if you are being successful?
