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While Social Media is an exciting new channel to reach your target audience it’s important not to ‘jump in’ without a strategy.

Social media represents an explosion of consumer power which has occurred in the online space, allowing people to have a voice, express themselves and connect with millions of others. Blog-posts, photo-uploads, forum-posts, chat-room conversations and user-generated reviews are just some examples of the millions of conversations and exchanges expressed on thousands of websites.

Over 28 million people a month network socially on the web. These websites and conversations carry the weight of millions of personal recommendations, opinions and grievances. All these conversations present a huge opportunity for brands to understand and get closer to their customers. 

At the very least companies should be monitoring social media to find out what people are saying about them, their industry and their competitors. See 15 Free Social Media Monitoring Tools.

More and more companies are effectively using Twitter, Facebook and Blogs as extensions of their websites to build a loyal following.  One of the great advantages of these platforms is their real-time nature, particularly in the case of Twitter (see How to Promote Your Business on Twitter).  Companies don’t have to wait until their next email broadcast to shout about something exciting.

As well as the popular social media websites, there are millions of very niche blogs (the blogosphere) with dedicated followers.  It’s important to identify and monitor the key blogs relevant you.   You can then work at building relationships with the bloggers themselves.  See How to Start Blogging – a Guide for Business.

Sites like Yahoo Answers and Wiki Answers are also growing in popularity.  We see them as the equivalent of stopping people in the street to ask for advice or perhaps broadcasting your question via a PA system!

For more information on social media, call or email us: 09 889 8020 or results@steer.co.nz

How can we help?

We can help you define and implement a Social Media Strategy, specifically:

  • Devising and implementing innovative techniques to grow your presence in the social networks.
  • Setting up a presence on Twitter, Facebook and creating a Blog.  Developing a Communications Plan for these channels.

  • Monitoring for mentions of your products and services and the needs and wants they satisfy.  Monitoring your industry and competitors.

  • Reputation management (reactive and proactive).

  • Identifying key influencers and developing a strategy to build relationships with them.

For more information on social media, call or email us: 09 889 8020 or results@steer.co.nz

social media

Social Media Resources

Top 10 Social Media Tactics >>
15 Free Social Media Monitoring Tools >>
Top 10 links for Social Media Optimisation >>
Key Social Media questions >>
The Future of Social Media >>
How to promote your business on Twitter >>
The value of Social Media for Online Retailers >>
How to approach Social Media >>