Know-How Exchange : Social Media

Stop.

No matter how you spin it. No matter what you've heard. No matter what you've read, or what you believe, social media isn't about marketing. It's about building rapport, forging relationships, and its about creating massive value.

There is no jump start to greatness or to success. Social media looks easy. It isn't. Nor is it about quantity in terms of followers or friends. It's about better. Better connections, better value, better messages, and better relationships.

Before you go any farther you need to figure out who you want to connect to, why you want to connect to them, why they would want to connect with you, and where you want to be in terms of your social media presence in three months time, then again in six months and nine months and where you want to be this time next year.

Then you need to figure out how you'll reach those bench marks and what kind of engagement and value creation it will take to get you there. You'll also need to have an idea of the platforms you'll use and how you'll use them.

Gary Bloomer
Princeton, NJ, USA

Gary Bloomer is absolutely right!

Social Media is measured in ROI (Return on Influence), and is a digital twist on the very basic adage of creating a trusted relationship & providing value with customers.

Social Media then creates a place where there is yet another digital twist to the tried and true 'word of mouth' advertising. It may be an old strategy, but it works!

Customers are happy to buy and recommend your business when you provide an atmosphere of good will and value. That's how I respond as a customer, don't you?

-Valerie