conversa group - using social media to grow your business
DESCRIPTION
This presentation was presented to the Paul VI Alumni Business Networking Group. It was designed to give attendees a chance to hear about why social media is important, how to use it correctly for their business and some tips on creative ways to incorporate out-of-the-box thinking.TRANSCRIPT
Using Social Media to Grow Your Business
Nichole Marie DevolitesCEO - Conversa Group
Lessons Learned from the Front Lines of Social Media
Brief Background – Nichole Devolites
Technology marketing since 1999
Government and technology marketing since 2003
Microsoft since 2004 Launched social media efforts in 2009
Blogger since 2009
Luxury retail marketing since 2010
Conversa Group since 2010
Writer for Washington Life Magazine since 2010
Brief Background – Conversa Group
Launched company (unofficially) in 2009 to meet the needs of Microsoft partners in the Federal space
Became a full-time employee of this company in 2010 Content development Social media Marketing strategy/”roadmapping” Campaign development
Agenda
What is Social Media? Who is using Social Media now? Why is Social Media so “hot”? Why does Social Media matter? Engaging your customer How do I use it to grow my business?
What is Social Media
Wikipedia:
Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein define social media as "a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, which allows the creation and exchange of user-generated content."[1] A common thread running through all definitions of social media is a blending of technology and social interaction for the co-creation of value.
1. Kaplan, Andreas M.; Michael Haenlein (2010). "Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media". Business Horizons 53 (1): 59–68.
The Spectrum of Social Media
Who is using Social Media?
EVERYONE
Why is Social Media so “Hot”?
The ability to share your message with billions of potential viewers
Most social media tools are free at their basic level
Innovation and thought leadership Constantly connected every minute
of every day The applications of these tools are
limitless
Why does Social Media Matter?
Because… Your customers are talking about you
even if you aren’t talking with them Your competitors are engaging in
conversations and building loyalty even if you’re not
Your brand has a presence in social media even if you don’t know it
You have a seat at the table even if it’s empty…
How do I Engage my Customer Through Social Media?
Am I consistent in posting? Am I posting often enough?
Am I posting compelling messaging? Do my posts offer a call to action? Am I creative in my thinking when
utilizing these tools? Do I offer incentives to my audience
to visit my pages again?
What Happens When I Engage with Customers?
Case Study in Motion: Microsoft Federal
No previous social media strategy, prior to 2009
In need of showcasing thought leadership and mindshare
Utilized Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter GovLoop, blog and Blogtalkradio
Efforts still ongoing today
Case Study in Motion: Tysons Galleria
No previous social media strategy, prior to 2010. Became thought leaders in luxury retail and high
fashion Event attendance went up Fan base grew by 300-500% a month on both
Twitter and Facebook “Tysons Galleria now has a voice in the fashion
world.” – Michael Clements, Senior Editor of Washington Life Magazine
Their social media fan base continues to grow, as customers rely on the news for the latest in fashion updates
When Done Right, Social Media has a High Impact
“Social media is not a big bet, placed once, with a hope for a large payout immediately. Social media is made up of “little moves made every day that eventually add up to
a major shift” (Jay Baer).
Eight Social Media Facts
According to Social Media Examiner:
Marketers place high value on social media: A significant 90% of marketers indicate that social media is important for their business.
Measurement and integration are top areas marketers want to master: 1/3 of all social media marketers want to know how to monitor and measure the ROI of social media and integrate their social media activities.
Social media marketing takes a lot of time: The majority of marketers (58%) are using social media for 6 hours or more each week, and more than a third (34%) invest 11 or more hours weekly.
Video marketing on the rise: A significant 77% of marketers plan on increasing their use of YouTube and video marketing, making it the top area marketers will invest in for 2011.
Eight Social Media Facts, cont’d
Marketers seek to learn more about Facebook and blogging: 70% of marketers want to learn more about Facebook and 69% want to learn more about blogging.
The top benefits of social media marketing: The number-one advantage of social media marketing (by a long shot) is generating more business exposure, as indicated by 88% of marketers. Increased traffirankings (62%) were also major advantages.
The top social media tools: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and blogs were the top four social media tools used by marketers, in that order. Facebook has eclipsed Twitter to take the top spot since our 2010 study.
Social media outsourcing underutilized: Only 28% of businesses are outsourcing some portion of their social media marketing.
Innovative Tips for a Better Customer Experience
Offer live events on Facebook: It provides additional value and fresh ways for your fans to interact with you, periodically conduct live chat sessions or live webinars or teleseminars.
Research what your customers are saying: “Stop reading the success stories and best practices to model your social media strategy. Use them for inspiration, but my best advice to you is to go figure out what your opportunity is first
Meet people in real life: Have bi-monthly meetup events
Invest in social media after you do your research
Share the knowledge of experts with your audience: “Get experts involved with your content. Determine who the experts are in your industry. Then go to them and offer to interview them about their hottest new project. During the interview, be sure to ask plenty of questions your audience would like to know the answers to.
How do I use it to grow my business?
Treat it as a marketing plan but don’t over-market… Engage with an
Expert Form a Strategy Set Objectives Create Action Plans Choose your Channels Build Experience Be Authentic
I’m here to Help…
Nichole DevolitesFounder and CEO, Conversa [email protected]
http://www.conversagroup.comhttp://www.visualcv.com/ndevoliteshttp://sociallady.wordpress.com http://www.twitter.com/conversagrouphttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Conversa-Group/189907703458