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Social Media in Plain English

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:49:48 +0100

I've just come across this brilliant video from Commoncraft, an organisation that creates short informative videos on a wide range of topics, from insurance to blogging. Commoncraft's USP is their use of simple, clear terms to explain complicated concepts, alongside the adorable paper cut-outs as illustration.

I particularly loved their social-media-as-ice-cream metaphor. Mine's a Red Velvet...

Practical tips on making social media work for your business

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:32:45 +0100

1. Have clear objectives

Social media are very hungry beasts, in terms of resource and content. And it’s easy to get involved without really understanding what you’re trying to achieve.

So set some clear objectives, whether it’s about getting your brand out in front of a wider audience, or about giving customers another way of connecting with you.

2. Do one or two things really well

With so many social media sites and applications out there, and more being created every day, it’s easy to just create a business profile on every site. But then how do you manage all your accounts? How do you make every presence you have add value?

I’d recommend picking one or two sites or tools – make them places where your customers are already spending time – and really put the effort into your presence there.

That means figuring out how you can add value – by content such as applications or information, or by participating in groups, stimulating discussions and answering questions.

3. Be in it for the long-term

Engaging in social media is a long-term activity that will really yield benefits in the long-term. For us, it’s about raising the brand profile and deepening the relationships we have with our customers.

It’s crucial that you understand that engaging in social media is about building a reputation in a space; it’s about being committed to participating in conversations.

I’d also like to emphasise how important it is to listen. Monitor the spaces you’re engaged in, see what your customers are interested in, and how they feel you can add value.

Social media brings you closer to your customers – and having connected with them, you need to maintain that relationship.

Taking the plunge

Sat, 16 May 2009 15:52:44 +0100

As a professional content manager, I spend a lot of my time trying to impress upon clients and colleagues just how much of a commitment creating online content is: "A blog is for life, not just for the campaign". Blogs are about discourse, about starting and sustaining conversations and taking that first step into becoming a blogger is about making a commitment to both yourself and your readers.

So with all that in mind, I've been a bit cowardly about putting my money where my mouth is and setting up my own blog. Sure, I tweet, I'm involved in all manner of social networks and groups - as Tara Hunt would say, I'm reasonably rich in Whuffie. But I feel that it's finally time to lay it all on the line and speak up. Hopefully, you'll be interested in some of what I have to say.