Today, in order to influence the minds of consumers, business people need to empower advocates. Advocates are talking about your categories and your brands. Advocates are sharing their opinions with family and friends as well as using Social Media platforms with an ability to reach millions of people (Facebook has 120 million users).
Tom McMillian
What is said within social media is more powerful than advertising. Consumers are more open to considering the recommendation of someone via Social Media platforms than they are to believe and act on advertising. To be successful, business people need to understand how to interact and utilize Social Media to their advantage. And remember, it takes time to harness Social Media to your advantage.
Social media is a power tool for businesses and there is a certain etiquette that will help you become more successful. This etiquette is summed up in the 3 R’s.
The 3 R’s of Social Media
- Real – Be yourself, tell the truth, and never lie. If you make a mistake, admit it, apologize and move on. Use your own name. When an occasion comes up when it may be appropriate to mention your brand or business, you need to have already established your reputation on the site before you mention your brand or business. Plus, make sure you are always upfront about your relationship with the brand or business.
- Relevant – To be relevant, you must listen and respond appropriately. Be helpful and provide value to the other members of the group. This is the way to building credibility. You need to devote the time and provide value to folks by responding to their problems, issues and challenges. One thing I always say to myself is, “Give them what they want, then give them what they need.”
- Responsive – Listen to what is going on within the Social Media platform. On a regular basis, thoughtfully contribute to the questions, concerns and issues at hand. Build your online reputation. This is not the place for you to have a monologue or to hype the benefits of your brand or business. After you have established your reputation, and if it is germane to the issues being discussed, it is appropriate for you to share the benefits of your brand or business (make sure you are upfront about your relationship to the brand or business).
Previously published in NJ Entrepreneur
Tom McMillian
- President, Techtao, LLC
- techtao@mac.com
- www.techtao.com
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