Thanks for coming back! We'd really like to hear what you think of this post, so don't be shy with the comments!
"People are in social media to be socially active, not to be sold."
Earlier this week, I attended a Social Networking seminar at Western Dakota Tech, put on by the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce. It was really quite interesting with approximately 85 people from local businesses in attendance.
I was particularly interested in what Adam Beshara (Marketing Specialist at Golden West Technologies) would share about Twitter and then how Realtor Lee Alley (with Prudential Kahler Realtors) would talk about Facebook for business. Both of these presenters impressed me with their realistic take/talk about social media for business in general. So much so, I want to share some of their key (form my perspective) points.
The web has changed the way we communicate, presenting brands the ability to reach a worldwide range of people in ways never before possible. Businesses, both large and small, can harness the power of the web to not only reach more people than ever before, but they can also extend the user experience by encouraging people to interact with their brand – making the brand more available to their audience.
Sounds good, but why does this matter? Why is this important? …Read more »
So, the word is out. Social media is happening. More businesses and individuals are getting involved everyday. It’s real. It’s now. And, just like all potential marketing mediums, it’s about to get really competitive.
With the exception of the last few years, NOW is the best time to hop on the social media bandwagon and get interactive. South Dakota businesses and industries, along with the vast majority of other regional mid-west businesses, have yet to tap this vital marketing, PR and customer service resource – giving you the advantage.
As my final comment on the South Dakota Tourism Conference -I saw fantastic potential for 2009. The mainstay will be to continue building our tourism network of friends via social networks on the internet. Here are a few testimonials on how the State of South Dakota is using different partner programs to promote opportunity for all tourism-based businesses in South Dakota:
To hear top internet marketing magnates tell it, 2009 will see social media become sentient, unify and morph into a god-like being that will dominate the entire universe!
Alright, no one says that. But there *is* a lot of buzz right now, and a lot of it contains predictions of the impending explosion of social media into the mainstream business world. Are you ready? Probably not. Most people aren’t – in fact, if you’ve actually heard the term “social media,” you’re already ahead of the game. …Read more »
Many businesses are catching on, choosing to engage interactive social media sites and applications as marketing and PR tools. You are able to reap the benefits of networking for customer service value, staying up to date with industry conversation and public interest trends, and building RELATIONSHIPS with the PEOPLE gathered around these online watering holes. The key is to remain both Person and Business at the same time…but mostly person. …Read more »
