Unless you have been living under a rock…in a cave…on Mars…You have probably heard of the social media storm engulfing our modern world. Sites like Facebook and Myspace and Twitter are dominating people’s free time, (and often their work-time) and have created new opportunities for the way you can promote your business. While it is okay to be scared of this flurry of information, don’t be an old fuddy-duddy, adapt to the times and hop onboard.
Myspace.com is a social media site that allows for the easy set up of webpages to promote just about anything. Yourself, your business, your hobby, your child-like obsession – it’s all out there. Myspace is graphic heavy, and allows for the easy import of video, music, and all kinds of promotional tools. Especially popular with bands, movies, and entertainment endeavors, Myspace is an easy way to get the word out about your organization to a gazillion groupies. Cutting edge and funky, MySpace isn’t the most professional place in the world to advertise your chiropractic services, but if you have a killer dance party it’s perfect.
Facebook, which along with MySpace have been collectively dubbed “MyFace,” is a leaner, meaner and cleaner site with plenty of features to keep you busy. Facebook offers users to create EVENT listings, which can be sent to a bevy of international friends. Whether you are planning an art opening, a charity auction, a retail sale, or just about any special moment. It’s also an easy and carefree way of staying in instant touch with your friends and clients. Many people update and monitor Facebook like it is their REAL job, so having a subtle presence there can give you an edge on your competitors.
Twitter is a relatively new site that allows for small 140 character updates to be disseminated to a group of followers. “Tweets” can be personal (“I left my cell phone at home.”) or business-y (Citigroup to lower some mortgage payments) or even esoteric (Why is that dog barking at me?) Add links to your “tweets” that help build buzz about you and your business, or direct visitors to your website. On the flipside, many local and national media outlets, PR groups, and civic organizations use Twitter as a ‘information mine” – and on a slow news day, will actually ask if anyone has anything interesting! Fox News and CNN have been known to pick up stories they discovered on Twitter, and Comcast has significantly changed customer views by interacting with people and answering questions. TLA Entertainment Group has increased web traffic by 34% thru their “tweets”. The Sundance Film Festival publicized last minute changes in their program thru Twitter, allowing for people to literally get instant gratification. Who doesn’t want that?
Much of this might sound daunting or a bit overwhelming, and you are right – it can be. But young and old early adapters who are available to help have conquered much of the social media juggernaut. You can hire experts, or probably turn to the closest 16 year-old you know. As the internet generation gets older, savvy businesses need to communicate with them in the realm they feel most comfortable. Don’t be left out in the e-cold, work social media to get the message out about your great endeavors.
