Social Media includes web-based and mobile based technologies which are used to turn communication into interactive dialogue among organizations, communities, and individuals.
The buzz around social media is loud, but you want to understand the paths to success before you jump in to avoid mistakes. Using social media tools and networks is about people connecting, interacting, and sharing online.
How can social media help your business?
- Drives brand awareness and loyalty
- Easy consumer listening and support
- Creates referral business
- Provides you with a built in audience (earned media credits)
- Creates leads, and much more!
Supercharge your marketing efforts by leveraging social media. Plan B Promotions Inc. can custom tailor a social media plan to suit your business needs.
Who’s on it: Everyone you know, and about 845 million other people around the planet
What it’s about: What started out as a basic “book of faces” and catalogue of relationship statuses, is now a multimedia platform to exchange photos, videos and Web links.
Why it’s popular: So much more than social networking, it’s now the core of business marketing, advertising and communication.
Who: Micro-bloggers
What: Like a small, compact version of Facebook, Twitter focuses on status updates in succinct, easy-to-digest, 140-character morsels.
Why: The second-biggest social media site, this simple service is the quickest way to discover what your friends – or celebrities, businesses and all other entities – are doing in real time. The speed of Twitter has also enabled it to become a social force through breaking news and instant feedback.
Who: Picture-takers
What: The first half of this social media app lets you take retro-cool pictures on your cellphone via a selection of filters (there’s one called “1977”). The second lets you “follow” members and see their lives happening directly through their iPhone (and now Android) lens.
Why: Follow someone and you’ll glimpse his or her candid moments. Nowhere else can you get so intimate with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest and Justin Bieber or, oh yeah, your normal friends. Also, Facebook’s recent purchase of Instagram – a company with zero revenue – for $1 billion backs up its future potential.
GOOGLE+
Who: Early adopters who love the latest and greatest gadgets
What: Massive in scope, Google+ is just like Facebook in function, but with – of course – a better search engine. Thanks to being a late player, Google+ has been able to copy Facebook but improve on its features (check out their friend management system, Circles).
Why: It’s worth keeping your eye on one of the most innovative, powerful company’s pet projects.
Who: Professional networkers
What: This website focuses on your occupation, and your network consists of co-workers from the past and present; it also includes anyone else you invite or who invites you. Because of its professional nature, you’ll find virtually no cat photographs or swear words.
Why: LinkedIn is a powerhouse for job hunters – your profile acts as your resumé to potential employers. It’s also one of the largest company databases around, putting you a mouse click away from e-mailing a CEO. Even if you’re not looking for a job, it’s a nice place to list your achievements, awards and all your other professional attributes.
Who: Image enthusiasts
What: At this online corkboard, users can “pin” anything they find interesting on the Internet into categories or “boards.” With a quick look at anyone’s page, you’ll discover their interests – from clothing and food to movies and jokes – on an efficient, highly visual mood board.
Why: This website took only nine months to break the 10-million-user mark, the fastest ever. Retailers and brands love the traffic, so look out for exclusive deals.
MYSPACE
Who: Music fans, people living in 2004
What: Once the king of social media, MySpace took a tumble when it lost its focus. But it launched the careers of Sean Kingston, Lily Allen and Tila Tequila, so bands and their fans still flock over when they need to connect.
Why: Recently purchased by Justin Timberlake, MySpace is set for a comeback this year by way of original content.
