In today’s marketing and advertising world, it isn’t enough to have just a website. Businesses need to be able to create, run and maintain a social media site or sites in order to be successful. If your brand still does not have some sort of social media site, you better make sure one is in the making. If you do decide to create a social media site, there are some challenges and risks that come up when taking your brand social.
Let’s look at the ways of how social media can add value to your brand. For retailers, it is a must to be present on multiple social media platforms. Retailers need to be able to embrace the power of social media by using sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. One of the main reasons for having a social site is the direct communication with your target audience. Part of what makes marketing with Facebook and Twitter so great is the interaction you get to have with your customer base – you can read their tweets and status updates to get insights into their daily lives (The Content Factory, 2015). You can use this information to learn about your customers and shape your marketing campaigns.
Social media can only benefit you if you use it the right way. Failing to update your site can portray your business as not current or up to date in other areas, like customer service. If you can’t update a Facebook page, why should your customers believe that you’re on top of your game anywhere else (Jones, 2013). It is a lot of work to manage and continually update your social site so if the upkeep isn’t happening, you’re better off not having one.
The Content Factory (2015). 9 reasons social media marketing should top your to-do list. The Content Factory. Retrieved from http://www.contentfac.com/9-reasons-social-media-marketing-should-top-your-to-do-list/
Jones, K (2013). 5 reasons why you should not be on social media. Marketing Land. Retrieved from http://marketingland.com/5-reasons-why-you-should-not-be-on-social-media-52585
Amy's Blog 
I agree. It is very important for a brand either new or established to have a social media presence. It makes the brand seem more creditable and it allows the brand to have a voice of its own. Without it, many people would have the power to say whatever they wanted about the brand and the company could not do or say anything about it. It is also great for listening and getting customer feedback. One of the amazing things about social media (as you say) is the instant response. It would take $0 and about two seconds of time for Walmart to post a tweeting asking their customers a question to help them better their business. Not even 2-3 seconds later, the company would start getting responses. This is true for big brands but it’s also beneficial for small brands to gain exposure. Great job on your post!
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Lack of social media presence and lack of understanding how to use social media can be a dangerous combination as well as either absence can be detrimental for companies. A company can become victim of damaging their brand, employees disclosing proprietary or confidential information, corporate identity theft, and even legal, regulatory, and compliance violations (Alter, 2014). A company is only looking for trouble, as you noted in your blog, if they choose to be social for the sake of being social, without developing and implementing content as well as policies and guidelines for participating socially. When talking with a prospective client, my goal is to make sure the client uses social media as a business tool wisely. I like to get a feel for what the client knows about social media and social media marketing. I ask if the company has created any training, guidelines, or policies in regards to social media and how it will be monitored by the company. I often use a risk assessment chart as a foundation to build a defense against the possibilities of damages the company brand and its reputation can experience. Social media is not just about being social; it is about developing a relationship and conversation with the consumer, growing positive feedback, and solidifying your brand return on investment with social media.
Works Cited
Alter, M. (2014, 2 20). Here Are Some Risk to Consider Before Using Social Media for Your Business. Retrieved from Accounting Web: http://www.accountingweb.com/article/here-are-some-risks-consider-using-social-media-your-business/223082
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Social Media is definitely a must. You mention “Social media can only benefit you if you use it the right way. Failing to update your site can portray your business as not current or up to date in other areas, like customer service” I think that is key there should be updated information about your company because you gain trust from the consumers. A company has to the biggest mouth piece on social media or someone else will negatively do it for you. Great Post
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You exactly right a company or individual must current with social media site so customer or people believe what you are saying or selling. Having a social media department that stay up-to-date with their social networking era will keep you competitive and profitable as well as staying in demand for your services/products.
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