Social media are just "new" forms of media that let you communicate with others and share information online. What makes social media marketing more unique (and exciting) is that it's interactive and it's real-time. It's also how public figures and many companies are now creating a buzz to get the word out on what's happening with them.
If you have a message and you want a lot of people to hear it and get it across to them in just a few minutes, you have a gazillion free and easy to use options, with the most popular being blogs, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
For example, our team heard about Michael Jackson's death within minutes of the event on Twitter, whilst in a cab on our way to the airport. Videos of the first tsunami wave engulfing the seaside town of Miyako in Japan, carrying everything in its path were posted on YouTube within minutes of the March earthquake in 2011. An entire revolution was successfully planned and implemented using Facebook in Egypt!
And it's not just about breaking news. Social media is forcing companies to sit up and listen to what customers say about them. Canadian singer Dave Carroll shot to fame with his YouTube music video, 'United Breaks Guitar', chronicling his real-life experience with United Airlines that damaged his expensive guitar during baggage handling, and the frustration faced trying to claim compensation. The video went viral, garnered millions of views within days (it's up to 11 million now), and United Airlines' stock price fell by 10%. Coincidence?
There are many different ways that you can use social media to suit your needs and here's a secret: it really isn't something completely new that you have to learn. You just have to apply what you already know to a new social environment. Pretty much all the social skills that you learnt (hopefully) growing up, from your parents are also applicable in social media.
1. Mind your manners
The term social media means that it is a social setting. So, the same traditional rules from the offline world apply here, too. If you are rude, you can't expect to make any friends or expand your social network.
2. Tuck in your shirt and straighten your tie
How you present yourself is just as important in the virtual world, as it is in the real world. Make sure you are always aware of how you appear to others. If you wouldn't show those party photos to your mother, don't post them online!
3. Think twice before you speak
It's easy to say what's on your mind, but you can never take it back. And in social media, everything you say can be heard by anyone and stays online forever ! So, think about whatever you want to post online, very carefully, before you do. If you have something personal to say to someone, use the private messaging feature, instead of posting it for the world to see.
4. Keep your promise
The currency of social media is trust. And if people can't trust you, you become of lesser value to them.
5. Turn your music down
Now that anyone and everyone can blog, tweet, post and do a myriad of other things online, there is virtual cacophony out there. Don't contribute to the noise. Read, view, and listen to whatever you want in your own personal space, but when your personal preferences are starting to crowd out everyone else's timelines, people will tune you out.
See, it's not that difficult, is it? Give social media a try, whilst keeping these five basic rules in mind. It's easier and more enjoyable than you think.
