Comments on: "We Should Do Something In Social Media"

By: Eating Our Own Dog Food: Social Media 404 | SocialMedia404

Eating Our Own Dog Food: Social Media 404 | SocialMedia404 — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:01:02 +0000

[...] “We Should Do Something In Social Media” (davefleet.com) [...]

By: Managements Misguided Social Media Efforts - New Comm Biz - New media strategies for business

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:46:22 +0000

[...] “We Should Do Something In Social Media” [...]

By: Guillaume

Guillaume — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:11:32 +0000

Good post! This reaction reminds me the 2001 Internet bubble with this we have to be in attitude that has lead so many people into the wall!

By: Paul Seaman

Paul Seaman — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:51:12 +0000

Dear Dave,

In my PR work I ask clients the same questions as you list above. However my understanding of “social” media and yours differ. To clarify the difference and in response to your recent Twittering about my “10 points: social media reality check”, I’ve written a defence. It is dedicated to you and to the others who commented: @PressReleasePR & @Twitter ilk – http://paulseaman.eu/2009/01/pressreleasepr-and-ilk/

By: Danny Brown

Danny Brown — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:59:50 +0000

This should be an edict for all businesses to read before deciding to have a turn at “that social media thing”…

Like you say, Dave, of course it’d be beneficial for them to be part of social media and use it to grow their brand and connect with their audience.

But only if it’s right for them. Otherwise, they may as well just give you the fee and say “Thanks for trying” and walk away.

By: Daniel Patricio

Daniel Patricio — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:44:24 +0000

Social media is about relationships and connecting with people. You can’t just throw more money into a campaign than everyone else and expect to increase the reach and expect greater results. If you don’t have a likeable brand no amount of investment will make people “follow” you on twitter.

I think that might frustrate some companies.

By: Samantha Hartley

Samantha Hartley — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:12:53 +0000

Two things come to mind for me. First, you’re asking what to consider “before deciding that the time is right.” I think you always have to review the alternatives, including what you’re already doing. Social media is quite the shiny penny, but I’d ask, “For OUR market, is this a better way to engage them? Is this a lack or an opportunity that requires action in the next 12-18 months?”

Second, I think the question of face and voice of the brand needs to be dealt with well before this initiative starts. The line between individuals and employees gets blurred in social media, and it becomes impossible to have a stranglehold on communications that there was back in my corporate days. Who will blog or post? When people see you “doing something in social media,” will it build brand value, or erode it?

Thanks for the discussion, Dave.

By: Kerri Birtch

Kerri Birtch — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:23:55 +0000

You soooo read my post then decided to write one too Looks like great minds think alike I suppose. One thing neither of us addressed directly though, but was mentioned in another comment is Facebook.

When I worked for marketing in a University setting, everyone thought we should be on Facebook – it’s the hot thing right now. But really, when we got right down to it and asked the students, they weren’t all that interested. You have to know how your audience WANTS to recieve information. It’s no good to be on Facebook trying to get your message out there if it’s falling on deaf ears. Also, reputable marketing and public relations is a difficult thing to produce in that kind of setting – most ‘marketing’ on Facebook is spammage.

It all really comes down to the points you mentioned in your post and recognizing the importance of all the factors.

By: @NmymindCarolina

@NmymindCarolina — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:49:24 +0000

Your posts are always right on the mark. I scan blog posts, etc. to share with my PR firm to increase our understanding of social media and your posts always make the list. I think companies often times forget to consider their target audience and the habits of that target audience so many times before they dive into social media…to your point of social media won’t work for everyone.

By: Lisa Wilberding

Lisa Wilberding — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:03:00 +0000

Great post Dave. I’d also ask if they are ready to understand that social media measurement and ROI are different than traditional marketing measurement methods. Sure, specific quantitative analytics can be measured (leads, sales, traffic #s), however the qualitative measurement is just as or more important (where and what is being said about you and your reputation). Social Media measurement is a hot, yet debatable topic…see http://www.davidmeermanscott.com's new doc, Lose Control of your Marketing for a great new look at measurement.