Social media and businesses
Shea Sylvia talks about
social media douchebags.
(She uses mildly foul language, but it's okay, 'cause she misspells
it.)
As a consumer, and a long-time player in online community (since
1986), think the real value in social media to a business is in being
real with your customers. And real isn't about this new product, or
that new sale... real is about what's going on in your head, what
you're doing to make the world a better place for somebody. Why you
and your business make a difference. Being real gives people a chance to care about you and your business beyond "what can your business do for me?", and when they care, they're more likely to be good customers.
Social media is social... if you're not being social, then you're
not doing it right. You have to stop thinking about marketing and
promotion and think about interacting with people. That's the big
game-changer that the internet has brought to
marketing... interaction. It's not a billboard, it's not radio or
television. It's not one-way, it's two-way. And if you can't enter
into a two-way relationship with your potential and existing
customers, then social media isn't for you.
They need to tweet more, but I think
Bamboo Stix has a good start... they
talk about trying to find their signature dessert, their struggles
with slow business on Mondays, dealing with their sushi chef injuring
his hand. Yeah, they throw in their lunch specials and stuff, too.
But they feel like real people. Because they are.