Social Media For Your Business?

Everyone's Social Already by Jessica Tsai

The following ideas and concepts have been taken from the article above.

The article discusses how social interactions are becoming critical to business operations. Social interactions are providing companies new ways to gain and distribute information. The problem the author brings forth is that social media marketing hasn’t gained momentum in social media services because of the lack of hard performance metrics.. The online channels are distributed and loosely connected, which causes difficulties in getting marketing across. 

The author discusses how social media is seen by companies as something for younger generations. However, the argument is that social media has an impact on companies which companies should begin embracing and developing methods of marketing.

Further discussion leads to social media strategy. The business needs a plan and purpose for social media. It needs to define how it “will affect brand building, product development, marketing communication and advertising.” Early adopters didn’t figure it out at first, however, after testing different methods, they’ve come closer to their social media needs. The article states that companies that adopt social media early are the ones more likely to succeed in marketing overall. To succeed the company needs to involve “operational, technological and customer service resources”.

Discussion shifts toward the consumer after this. Consumers are conscious of prices, brands and especially their money. “Many feel entitled to talk to the brand” suggests increasing consumer authority. “Social media has the power to pick up where traditional marketing drops off” suggests social media to be next level of marketing. 

Businesses should begin to allow consumers have a say in building the brand. The article argues that consumers want freedom but some sort of direction. To this the business should establish two things:

1. What the business is looking for
2. How the consumer can benefit

These two things are required for a sense of mutual interest. For this mutual purpose to play out the business requires direct engagement with the customers through some social channels.

Personal Response

The article brings forth some interesting discussions. I have to agree that social media is the next step in marketing and especially with the idea that it is the point where traditional marketing leaves off. Social media is direct contact with the consumer where the consumer has the upper hand. However, it provides the marketer with incredibly valuable information for making decisions. No longer do marketers have to pretend to know what the consumers want but rather just listen to them and execute on those ideas. It it’s what the consumer wants, then it is what the consumer buys. 

I also agree that companies that do not engage know or in the near future will start to see resistance. Social media is the trend which is leading to the trend that consumers decide for the brand. Coming too late to the game will bring significant consequences one of which is being overrun by a competitor. I think this is a time when business sizes are going to be reshuffled.