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Social Media is it hit or miss for today’s businesses?
I recently posted a questionnaire to customers, colleagues and on social media platforms at large. The results have been extremely interesting.
I still find it amazing how many people interact with you that don't know you just because they want to share their views and thoughts, in this instance accounting for 80% of responses. More so, in particular for these people that sitting behind a pc gives them the confidence to contribute, a persona to hide behind and there seems to be a certain honesty and frankness because of it. Thank you to all that took part.
The Results62.5% of respondents use social media both personally and professionally by far the largest group and more importantly 87.5% said that it had had a positive effect on their business.
The most popular social media site was Linked in with 80% using it.
People spent on average 38 minutes a day using social media tools.
63% of people stated that they used social media tools four times a week, with only 18% using it daily.
Although people were unsure if they had generated actual sales as a result of social media 92% said that they had built their business network with appropriate and relevant contacts because of it.
The Consensus - What are the most important marketing tools of the moment?
I recently asked this question to colleagues, customers and the social media world trying to gauge really what is deemed important to the SME business in 2010.
The results were intriguing and diverse but most importantly showed the need to treat existing customers well and to build on personal reputation so that ‘word of mouth’ was optimised. I suppose this reiterated to me that 2010 is not a year just to get on with the normal marketing plan but the year to go the extra mile, every ounce of effort is not a bonus but a necessity in the fight for survival of the fittest during these tough economic times.
Whilst budgets are tight and sales goals stretched to the max marketing for some has made a complete 360 degree turn. It seems that whilst some are focused heavily towards the new marketing mediums like: social media, email marketing and the knock on auto-responders others are reviving the more traditional marketing disciplines and stepping back to the basics to assess the clarity of a brand, precise USP’s and establishing client expectations.
This may seem like marketing 101 but in actual fact the simple stuff is frequently ignored and it was refreshing to see that to some it still mattered hugely.
So here it is the list of most important marketing tools for SME’s now – today!
- Social media – blogs, microblogs, bookmarking, video streaming and social networking
- Websites – were deemed a ‘must have’ but it was all the add on’s that made this work like: SEO, auto-responders and data capturing
- Internet marketing – email marketing, article submission and forums
- Market research – online surveys, twitter search and trends and getting prospective customers to trial new product
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Top Marketing Tips for 2010Number One – Step back and review, evaluate
It doesn’t matter how big or small a business is, it is essential to annually complete a market review. Start with a customer survey that has quantifiable questions and then proceed to review the competitors in the market and see where their successes and failures lay. Finally review all new marketing techniques that have been brought to the market and then consider the strategy for the year.
Number Two – Do your research and form an opinion on Social Media
Each and every business has a different image that they want to portray. Some may think that social media doesn’t apply to them and many more will think that it isn’t suited to a business to business environment. There are many opportunities available and this area is THE fastest area of marketing development so it is necessary to find the medium that is right for you. Get a twitter account, create a facebook fan page, join Linked in, add video clips to you tube what ever the approach it’s time to have a go.
Number Three – If your advertising isn’t working stop it
Advertising can be a bottomless pit and whether it’s in newspapers, consumer glossy magazines or trade press it has to have a return on investment. If you’re determined to advertise it’s important to have a strong call to action and to ensure that information is captured where all customers have come from. This means at least you can really gauge what is working and what it not. Remember if it’s not working stop it – NOW!
If you would like to read my further tips including the current free on-line resources all businesses should use complete the article subscription form to the left. Sign up now!