What’s all the Buzz about Social Media?

With the way the Public Relations industry is headed, social media is sure to be a key player. As new technological advances are being made constantly, it is not surprising that individuals look to the internet for a quick and easy way to access information. Although social media is not exclusively an online outlet to spread information through messages, it is becoming increasingly popular. Social media may only be one form of PR; however, it is most definitely a trend that shows a great deal of impact on how individuals gather and learn about messages.

Simply put, social media is also known as user generated content that is usually found online or through some form of an electronic source. As opposed to traditional broadcast media in which messages are distributed directly to an audience from one source, social media allows for messages to be passed to and from many individuals, allowing anyone to utilize it without requiring any special skills. A perk of social media compared to industrial or broadcast media is that there is usually little or no cost associated with it. Social media is also very efficient in that it is usually available just as soon as, or in most cases sooner than traditional media, and it can generate responses almost instantaneously. Social media is also very flexible in that it can be altered by being edited or added to, and it is great for allowing other individuals to comment or respond as a way to increase the buzz on a certain issue or topic of interest.

It is evident that social media is expanding PR in this new wave of increased reliance and confidence in technology, and is an excellent way to create buzz or generate popularity on any subject matter. As traditional media is being put on the back burner, social media is a trend that does not appear to be going out of style any time soon! Could it be that social media is more of a revolution rather than a trend after all?

Social Media Marketing Tools

We wanted to follow-up our previous posting with a few tools to help our colleagues. Below are a few resources that we use periodically to monitor social media. In addition, we use this information to gain insight as to how other are using social media. As marketers and businesses owners, do not forget the fundamental concepts of marketing. Most of these fundamental concepts are still relevant in social media.

Let us know what tools you are using and what you think of these. Good Luck!

http://www.socialmediatoday.com/

http://www.addthis.com/

http://friendfeed.com/

http://secondbrain.com/

http://www.shoutlet.com/

http://www.pitchengine.com/

http://www.twhirl.org/

Changes in Social Media Marketing for Customers & Businesses?

In recent white papers on Social Media, many professionals are predicting a shift in the way customers & businesses use social media tools. There are several factors that will drive this predicted trend. The number of potential customers involved in social media will continue to grow with additional advances in technology and easier access to these technologies. In today’s difficult economic environment, it is a challenge to find and interact with customers. Thus, social media will become an increasing priority in the marketing mix as well as a cost effective channel for marketers. In addition, social media will gain acceptance across all demographic and socioeconomic groups.

As marketers, we will continue to be challenged to use social media by clients or management. We must be careful to develop guidelines around these practices and to ensure that we are implementing social media for the “right reasons,” not just because the competition is doing it! If we do not practice using social media properly, the customers will no longer see social media as their space but as a way for businesses to interrupt their conversation.

Email Marketing Metrics Report

According to the “Email Marketing Metrics Report” by MailerMailer, 12.5% of unique marketing emails were opened in the second half of 2009. The figured shown a .7% decline in comparison to the first half of 2009, then the open rate was 13.2%. The report shows that email open and click through rates vary by industry & the size of the list.

The report stated that for large email lists, the religious and spiritual organizations had the highest open rates. The report suggested that smaller lists may be better target email communications with more relevant content.

We would agree that smaller lists typically perform better in email blasts and campaigns. In general, the lists are developed through local networking, events, industry events or friends. The content of the emails is relevant to the local market or is usually measured with off-line and online sales/leads. This report demonstrates the importance of targeted, relevant, and measurable email marketing practices.

Let us know how email marketing is impacting your bottom-line & trending for your industry.

Email Marketing with Value Added Features

It seems like every organization under the Sun is using email marketing. The major question is “are they doing it effectively & efficiently? This is not just in regards to sending targeted promotions but developing, maintaining, and communicating on an ongoing basis.

We think that one of the biggest challenges is efficiency. Many businesses or marketers have a list and an email template, but are they organizing their websites, online forms, and other touch points to gather or verify the email list? In our experience, we do not see a collective effort to nurture or verify leads. Too many of the processes are manual and require numerous hours of work and manpower. It’s time to start integrating databases, email software, and verifying at every possible touch point.

The most effective way to do this is by using email/event triggers and online forms that connect your website with your email marketing tool. There are numerous email service providers in the marketplace that provide this feature. Be sure that when you are comparing email service providers that they offer email/event based triggers, online forms, and are connected to email marketing database or email list.

Don’t forget to Test!

Google Analytics

Google Analytics provides businesses & marketers of all skill levels with the necessary information to track, measure, record, and react to various marketing environments. Google Analytics also offers training videos to help all users better understand how Google Analytics operates. There is even a Google Analytics IQ test that users can take after viewing the free training videos. There are a number of “Seminars for Success” that Google offers to help users improve their skills. Check out www.google.com/analytics for the tools, tips, education, support and the latest information on web analytics trends.

Article Submissions: Valuable for SEO or Not?

The general purpose of an article submission is to increase the links to your website(s). If utilized effectively, article submission can help you increase the number of links; however, it is not the most effective method. Many article submission sites have limitations with regards to the type of information that can be displayed within an article. Article Submission can help to establish you or your organization as an industry expert. If you provide an article on a specific topic, there is a good chance that someone interested in that industry will come across it on the web and use it. Remember that relevant content is key when on the web. To maintain this relevance, be sure to include your username, keywords, content, your address, company name, phone number, and contact person for each and every article submission.