Happy Friday, everyone!
Here is this week's poll question:
With so many social media channels competing for our attention, we're wondering how many are actually useful to you professionally. Which of the below (if any) do you use, and how do you find them helpful?
Looking forward to reading your replies!
Professionally, I don't use any of them except a share here or there on Facebook. I do have a Linked In account which I've used to keep in touch with people I have worked with in the past. Google I use for more information about a client and the product they may be selling, looking into their business before I meet with them to have some information and be educated on arrival. Pinterest I use on occasion for ideas but mostly use for personal creativity.
LinkedIn can be very valuable. as it is an opportunity to make an appointment each time we link to or are asked to link in with others. We offer a sample script that can be adapted as needed. If anyone would like lit, please email me at [email protected]
Seams in a small market the only one that matters is Facebook. However since there are so many users on Facebook the algorithm needs to decide what to serve the user to keep them engaged and stay on the site as long as possible. This makes it very tough for a business posts to show, unless it is an amazing post that is super engaging the post does not get seen by many people. Basically you have to pay as a business to get any traction with your posts now a days. I manage a Country Western bars social media profile and we have over 6600 followers yet a "engaging post" will only reach maybe 10% of my followers. In order to reach anyone you need to pay.
In bigger markets I think Twitter has some value. And possibly other social media outlets hold value both small and large markets but to the under 20 crowd and typically they do not have money.
As a radio station if your looking to connect via digital means I would focus on collecting emails, it's a proven system that I don't see changing anytime soon.
Personally and in sales (as opposed to the radio stations as a business):
Facebook not useful, gossip
Twitter not useful, gossip
LinkedIN used to be helpful for reaching out to other professionals in other fields and markets but now is dominated by 20-somethings writing articles on 'how to" do something and looking for a job
Instagram not useful
Google+ I don;t use
Pinterest I hate, opened an account and am now barraged with 'pins'
Personally, I use RingWord, but that's only because its better than Google, Facebook or the Internet.
But seriously, folks:
I use LinkedIn for business contacts. I can reach out to various groups, ask questions, and discuss posts related to my biz.
It's more useful because it's not about pictures of vacations, restaurants etc. It's geared toward business.
Tom
We use Facebook for station events. I keep my LinkedIn profile up-to-date but I haven't had a lot of success using it to make sales. I might look up someone but that's not a meaningful way to start a relationship in my book. I've never gotten on the Twitter train. Professional contact is mostly through the phone and email. Old school.
* Source – Forbes.com, November 2014
Daryl,
Sales trainer Dave Warawa has posted these articles about using LinkedIn as an effective sales/marketing tool:
The Power of LinkedIn for Professional Salespeople
LinkedIn as a Powerful B2B Tool
Tired of Cold Calling? Use LinkedIn
Thank you for your reply!
Rebecca
Thanks, I will be digging in to these
DJ
Facebook - a nice way for keeping in touch socially and following the daily doings of friends - and more than a few clients and colleagues.
Twitter - rarely use, though more than a few professional colleagues say they prefer it to Facebook. Just never cultivated the habit.
LinkedIN - of far less use to me than Radio Sales Cafe. I'm not looking for a better job (or any job), nor have I found it a particularly useful prospecting tool - though I hasten to add that I've not invested time trying to prospect there. Magnet for self-promotion and spam. I defer to Dave Warawa, who suggests that it can be useful if you work at it.
Instagram - Just discovered and I like it as a photo-sharing site; love seeing good photographs. Is it useful professionally? Well, I suppose if you're a professional photographer or visually-oriented blogger it could be. For radio? Not so much.
Google+ - late getting started but apparently gaining momentum. Don't use it much. Yet.
Pinterest - for girls.
First off, I have had my own website for several years and 5 days a week I add a new article at 9am. Some of these articles I also share on LinkedIn. All of them are shared on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
Most of the articles I write are about media, marketing, advertising, and related subjects and are written for the business owner.
LinkedIN and Facebook however are the two social media channels I use daily professionally. I'll use the messenger features in both to send messages to clients, and they reach out to me too.
This is just fun stuff. Nothing business wise really, just some fun connecting with family and pals.
Yeah, I just don't get this #IhavenoideawhatIamdoing
Thought this would be of some use, but when you could start "recommending" people by pushing a button, well it just turned into a big mess
See Twitter
<Crickets>
I have this lasagne recipe I want to share!
"Social Media" - SOCIAL noun: an informal social gathering, especially one organized by the members of a particular club or group. MEDIA noun: the main means of mass communication (especially television, radio, newspapers, and the Internet) regarded collectively.
You see how these two do not work together? You are either acting socially, or you are broadcasting. Pepsi learned you cannot do both (see The Pepsi Refresh Project). How do I cannot with business peers? Chamber of commerce mixers.... service clubs.... conventions. In my mind (and I admit I may be wrong) the only professional way of connecting is one on one.
