- Image via Wikipedia
Many businesses are trying their hand at social media by adding a Facebook page and starting a Twitter account. While some have attracted new customers by appropriately utilizing this powerful networking tool, others have realized the wrong message or the wrong usage of these mediums can also mean the kiss of death.
Whether a billion-dollar credit union or a weekend bakery the generally accepted notion is that everyone needs these tools. Whereas a standard web page will offers the customer basic information, a social media page offers a different means of engaging the client.
That may sound perfect to a business, but it’s also important to note a basic rule about social media. For instance; if a group of Facebook friends become annoyed at the constant updates they receive from some distant cousin who doesn’t know when enough is enough, the likely result will be alienation from that online social group. That person’s eagerness turns into annoyance of their friends, leading that hyper-active updater to be blocked, ignored and hidden from the rest of the group’s pages.
As a business it’s important to remember many people are receiving constant updates from their Twitter and Facebook accounts, especially those with smart phones. They will be dinged or buzzed every single time a business makes an update, so it’s critical to choose them wisely. Another common mistake businesses make is treating their accounts as a pure marketing medium, and their friends or followers as nothing more than potential customers. Businesses trying to exclusively advertise through social media will also find themselves updating to no one in no time.
While there is no universal truth to using Facebook or Twitter the key is to be interesting and smart about timing. Some businesses have had luck at using updates to give away prizes. But those which try to bombard sites with ads are quickly ignored like that annoying cousin.
