Social Media - DON'T Just do it!

The show of hands from today's Social Media Seminar at the Bristol Business Show was quite enlightening. 50 people present, 40 using Facebook, 30 using LinkedIn and 20 using Twitter. Just one person raised their hand to confirm they are seeing a real business benefit from using social media and online networking. The seminar outlined that the starting point to see such benefit is clear strategic thinking; matching business goals and an understanding of where target customers and prospects are using social media tools; before embarking on regular blogging, tweeting and online networking. The few who have taken this approach are already starting to see a measurable business benefit.... the rest of us should follow.

From conversations and questions after the session it is clear that there are many people who are feeling obliged to play with social media without really understanding quite why and how best to do it. Very few have thought about the real business value and are lacking in confidence to integrate social networking within their proven marketing and sales plans.

Social media can, if you wish and if it's appropriate, provide an unprecedented new channel to market creating new sales opportunities if you get it right. If you don't however it can be a case of long hours spent delving deep into your memory in an attempt to come up with something new to say, week in, week out.

We'll publish the Seminar in its entirety when the materials are available (presentation and video) so please do watch this space.... or Twitter, of course!