Why Social Media is Important

"Social media gets attention by firms because it can become an intense pain point that is destructive to the organizations mission."

The above statement is from a post I recently posted to Twitter.

There is a lot of conversation about why companies are using social media technologies to reach out to people. Social media enables the amplification of angry consumers. In earlier times it was almost impossible for a company to react and respond to a consumers disappointment and anger. With technology such as Twitter, the voice of the consumer is able to be identified on what might be called a radar screen. Search.Twitter.com is a simple way for a firm to see what is being said publicly about them on Twitter. A unique firm name makes this much easier than a generic one. A generic name will have a low signal to noise ratio and make the radar teams job difficult to manage effectively.

When a company gets called out publicly on Twitter and other places online and they do not respond to consumer concerns a firm may gain a reputation as uncaring or worse. This can be a dangerous path to travel. People will see the brand as being different than their previous perception. Firms spend millions (and some billion) of dollars each year to stake out a unique branding position in the mind of the consumer. Negative publicity erodes and destroys the goodwill that has been built up.

Example of what people are saying about Kellogg's on Twitter.

Example of what people are saying about Marlboro on Twitter.

Example of what people are saying about KFC on Twitter.

Here is an example of what one user (@kcscougar) said about KFC and a promotion they are having.

This KFC pink bucket promotion for breast cancer awareness is like Marlboro having a "pink pack" promotion.

Why do you think companies are on Twitter and other social media sites?

What is a Twitterduction?

A Twitterduction is an introduction between two or more Twitter users by a third person.

Tonight I introduced two people in Minnesota with this tweet. There are synergies that are yet to be created using the power of Twitter. Hopefully more people will start connecting others together.

#Twitterduction: @LizStrand meet @ryanr09. @ryanr09 meet @LizStrand. *Connect if you have common interests

#Twitterduction

TWITTER FOR BUSINESS: 101 STYLE

Earlier this week at #tweetea, a tweetup event in Royal Oak, MI, we had a discussion about Twitter. The discussion included some thoughts on how so many people sign up and just do not see what all the hoopla is about. A big part of the conversation revolved around there not being a guide on how to use the service. It is not real clear and generally takes a few weeks to get a hang of it. Most new users are not willing to put in such efforts and thereby abandon the service.

What Twitter Did

Twitter recently released Twitter 101 - A Special Guide. The guide is geared for business and included best practices and case studies. This is the kind of progress that will be welcomed by new users.

Extra Credit Reading

The New York Times: Mom-and-Pop Operators Turn to Social Media

Questions

• Do you use Twitter?
• What value do you get or give with it?

A few years back it was new for a business to have a website. Then it was having an email address. The new thing is to have  a Twitter account.

SOCIAL MEDIA, WHAT'S THAT?

Came across a really good online presentation by Marta Kagan on social media. It includes some good points about who is using the Internet and how. Presentation is embedded nearby. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

From the 30 Lines blog.

WARNING: There are some images and text that some viewers may find offensive. Consider this the disclaimer.

What The F**K is Social Media?

view presentation (tags: socialmediamarketing marketing web2.0 socialmedia)

A few points... Re: Social Media...
The Goal is to:

• Enable
• Inspire
• Influence
• & ...
• Engage

Powerful stuff. Click through the whole presentation. You will not be disappointed.

FIND JOBS NOW WITH SOCIAL NETWORKING

IDEA: Sharing & Finding Jobs

If you come across an interesting job post [online or through word-of-mouth] share it.

If you are searching for a job, the folks that post to Twitter using #job" are helping you find one of the following...

• Job
  
• Next Job
• Better Job

How does this work?

Simple, include the following in the post to Twitter...

• "#job" [This will help people find it]
  
• Job title or responsibilities
  
• Location / Geographic area
  
• Firm
• Link to posting [use TinyURL] to make it fit

Below is one posted the other day. The order isn't important overall. The order listed above is probably the most effective for posting.

"admore: #Job: Sales/Retail/Business Development with McGraw-Hill near Lansing, MI http://tinyurl.com/6orrzc"

Current postings can be found here.
Set up and subscribe to the RSS for that search. Look for "Feed for this query" on the Summize search above.

HT: jminni

What are your thoughts and ideas for turning the power of social networking into a more powerful job tool?

BUYING IN by ROB WALKER

This past Friday [June 20] at a likemind event [Zaccaro's Market] in Detroit, Michigan I received a copy of Buying In by Rob Walker. Started reading it on Monday. Hope to have it read by mid July. Seems like it is going to be a great read from the first ten or so pages.

If the book proves to be better than average it will probably be read at a faster clip. Doing some underlining in the book. Might post some thoughts and notes upon completion. If you have a chance, stop in a book store and give it a few moments of your time.

Also met some great people at the likemind event. Was shocked that we were there for three hours and forty-five minutes. Time flew. Connected with most of the attendees on Twitter now.

Here are a few Rob Walker links of potential interest.

• Consumed column from The New York Times
• Murketing Blog
• Book website