Turn Up the Charm
Social media today is all about how well you are charming your audience. A company, be it large or small, can not proceed with the same persona that it had even 5 years ago. Customers are now wanting to engage in conversation with businesses that they enjoy patronizing.
Unfortunately, many of the larger corporations are still a little slow to come to the social media playground. Some of their reasoning may be justified because it is easy to say the wrong thing and end up in a media fiasco that could have been avoided. For the small business owner, it may simply be a time issue. How do you successfully run a business and have time to properly manage your social media presence? Your social media presence should personify your brand and that may require some strategic planning to make it happen, but it can be done.
You must have a well thought out plan before diving in to social media. Determine what it is you are hoping to gain from your efforts. Decide on the mediums that you would like to cover and then dive in!! If you decide to join Twitter, take a look at some of the twitter chats that happen daily. A simple search on your topic of choice will yield a great list of chats and individuals for you to follow and engage. If you decide on a Facebook page, create your page and then determine about 2 weeks worth of updates that you would like to post. It is easy to schedule these posts using a site such as Hootsuite. The Facebook page is an excellent way to offer specials for anyone that may ‘Like’ your page. I know, we are making it sound very simple, but it really is a ‘learn by doing’ activity.’ Once you have created your first Facebook page Twitter page, or your LinkeIn profile, take time to explore what others are doing. Learn from others that are in your same industry. Think about what type of strategy they are using (especially if it is working for them). Do not be afraid to mimic what is working!
Once you are onboard, it is all about your social media charm. Figure out ways that you can help people fill a need. Then, interact and engage. Or, as Guy Kawasaki would say….Enchant!
