Social Media – Can you afford to ignore it?
It is the single most worrying aspect of marketing that my clients are citing. Keeping up to date is a nightmare to most; to many, it is simply something they have chosen not to get into. However, it is an extremely powerful tool and here is why:
On sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn people, your customers, make comments that are traceable back to them, openly and in the vast majority of cases, honestly. This provides transparent and credible testimony to your product and/or services. It ranks way above Testimonials on your websites provided by “Joe R. of Longford”.
- Fans on your business’s Facebook page are selling your business for you.
Why would anyone to say no to a free sales rep? And wouldn’t you want to know who your best business referrers are?
- Facebook encourages people to “Like” businesses – note there is no “Dislike” button.
In a world where we are quick to write when we are dissatisfied with service, Facebook encourages people to express positive sentiments rather than negative – that has to be a breath of fresh air!
- Linked-In means that you never have to forget a name or a face again.
Instead of gathering business cards that get lost in the bottom of a desk drawer, when we add someone to our LinkedIn network, we get to know them a little better and not lose touch with them. In the same way as a business card used to act in the past, we can now recommend them to others.
- Networking – like it or hate it, we all need it
The Irish are sublime at naturally networking . The strained “we must do lunch” is irritating and phoney to most Irish ears, but the “Howzit goin’?, how are things with you?” is genuine. We can use sites such as Linked In to keep in touch and not forget names but picking up the phone for a chat, or dropping in when passing by, or frequenting the same watering hole for a that face to face contact is still of the utmost importance on this small island where familiarity is essential.
Bright Star Marketing is a member of the Institute of Management Consultants in Ireland, a Member of the Marketing Institute of Ireland and carries Professional Indemnity Insurance.
Call us today on 086 3893547 for news of our special marketing packages for 2012.
1 May 2012
* T&C apply