Do's and Don'ts of Business and Social Media

I love the fact that companies are now starting to use social media tools to engage both internally and externally. Here is  a quick insight into some do's and don't s that I would share..

• Don't tell people what you want to say...Do tell them what they want you to talk about.
• Don't do social media if you are not passionate about true conversations....Do find passionate evangelists within your company to develop your social media strategy.
• Don't get hung up on measurement...Do get hung up on the value of content
• Don't fake the conversation......Do face professionally, disagreements or negative feedback.
• Don't do all aspects of social media because you can....Do the tools that are applicable to your audience.
• Don't try or even think that you can control the conversation - you can't....Do realise that being part of the conversation is much better than being ignorant of it!

Joining the conversation is not a new idea, from historic times word of mouth has ALWAYS been a key influencer of buying behaviour. So what has changed? The global nature of the conversation, the tools available to the majority of the consuming population, the fact that you can know what people are saying about you...it is in front of you (and potential consumers) rather than behind your back.

I still work with companies who are fearful of social media....I can understand the concern - how I see it, is that I prefer to be aware of our reputation and trying to positively build it, rather than be in the dark and not understand how our reputation as an employer or supplier has nosedived.

o