Before you go social

I read this article from Brians Solis today and wanted to share my take outs with you. Its an interesting view on wether we are as social as we think we are. Before you you decide to venture into the world of social media as a company or brand, firstly ask yourself  ”why should anyone “like” or “follow” you?  Different customers expect different things from us;

1. Some just want some good old decent customer service;
2. Some want freebies and discounts;
3. Others may yearn for your leadership and insights.

Whatever it is they want from you, make sure you plan for some meaningful engagement around exactly that.

Beware of using the new platforms for old marketing. Give people a great reason to connect with you. Not just today but tomorrow as well. Create something for them to talk to their mates about and you earn the right to be a social company.

Related articles

• Is Your Business Antisocial? (briansolis.com)

Have you read about the new Google Wallet yet? Weather Google has created another flop or has launched something brilliant, the fact of the matter is that our phones will become our wallets in the very near future.

The Google Wallet allows you to store coupons and credit cards on your phone. I get excited about the idea I can do away with with loyalty and gift cards in the future, because they will be on my phone. With the use of Near Field Communication technology we will be able to make payments with our phones

I have wondered for years why all my cards could not morph into one somehow. It seems my prayers will be answered. Ladies, our wallets can become thinner. I, for one, CANNOT WAIT.

As soon as my phone contract is up I MUST buy a phone that is NFC enabled. What do you reckon?

We measure someone’s worth by the size of their followers or fans. What is someone’s “social reach”? If they are not followed by a army of people have they got any real social status? But I think we should look at someone’s social influence rather than reach.

“Don’t count who you reach, but reach those who count”. I am sure you have read it all before. I know I have, and yet we have managed to turn the internet into a world full of useless connections simply because we feel better about ourselves if we have lots of fans or followers. Seth Godin has something interesting to say on this (watch this 2 min video, I can recommend it. Its 2 years old but nothing has changed)

I remembered this example from last year when Brian McFadden tweeted about having a bad experience of losing his luggage after a Delta Airlines flight. He managed to create a fair amount of buzz as he has 50,000 followers on Twitter (and is mates with a radio presenter). So you could argue his social reach was substantial. However, how many of those 50,000 actually count? In other words, how many people actually acted upon his rant and no longer choose to fly Delta Airlines? Did he create a movement? Did he use his followers to gather momentum? Probably not, as a follower is not the same as a loyal friend who listens to your lost luggage story and over several beers solemnly vows to never fly Delta again either. Solidarity is a powerful thing. (then on the next business trip to the States this loyal friend finds out they can save $2k on a flight and their solidarity goes out the window, but that’s another story )

If you feel like having a #rant, rant. But if you wanted to create a movement, or gather momentum for your ideas or your brand, make sure you reach those who count and who are likely to offer their solidarity, or buy your product. Everyone else is just fluff.