Technology investment is set for a turnaround this year with spending expected to grow at more than twice the rate of gross domestic product. This among other things, seems an unquestionable indicator that Social Media is about to go through the roof.
Here are my 9 ways to be competitive and stay ahead of the Social Media curve.
1. Readiness: Make time for honest self-evaluation.
How well can or have you integrated the less formal and controlled Social Media communication within your culture? Look at each campaign and how the use of Social Media can produce desired outcomes. Decide if you need to outsource for help or if people in your organization have the skill set to succeed on their own.
2. Social Media road map.
Devise a clear plan for how to reach your goals, as well as ways you’ll measure your progress en route. Be realistic when considering what Social Media can and cannot do for your business. Look within and beyond your industry at the larger Social Media world to see what others have demonstrated.
3. Use Social Media for marketing and beyond.
There are so many areas in which you can derive tangible benefits from Social Media. Look for opportunities complementary to leads and sales, such as support, customer service, product development and evaluation, brand reputation and awareness. Reengage existing clients and customers in addition to attracting new ones.
4. Improve your company’s word of mouth.
Simply give people more reasons and places to talk about your business.
5. Listening.
A plan to monitor Social Media is essential. Use free or paid tools or tool sets to find and engage in dialogue regarding your brand and industry. If you’re not there yet, start with basics like Google Alerts and build on that.
6. Social Media quality.
Be authentic, unique, and don’t oversell to build authority within your industry.
7. Consistency.
Keep your content both relevant and updated on a regular basis. Lay out a schedule and stick with it. Don’t be a Social Media dropout. You’d be surprised how many companies large and small have little or no follow through, stopping far short of success.
8. Analyze, revise, re-analyze.
Much like driving a car, keep adjusting the steering wheel. Implement, analyze and improve your social business. Don’t forget basics like SEO and Google page rank still matter too.
9. Innovate.
Find new opportunities. If you’re already as successful as you’d like to be on Twitter and Facebook, check out Foursquare, or try changing your blog.
What’s happening at your business? Do you plan to invest more money this year in technology than last year?
