Sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Blogger are no longer restricted to those who want to keep in touch and share information/entertainment- they can be used by any organisation for a new wave of internet marketing and promotion.
You may question the validity of these sites and how (as an organisation) you can be taken seriously for using them, but, as they say, everyone does it. Most of your competitors have probably got an account with one of these sites, most are probably connected to their future clients and are providing them with information to their products and services.
The basic idea...
The idea is to connect to people where they're already connected.
This means you don't have to spend time, money and other resources on finding your clients and customers as you'll already have found them by accessing these sites. Twitter is so easy to use that you can be connected to anyone, anywhere, for any reason and can send updates that they will read.
Facebook works in a similar manner as you'll be advertising yourself and promoting mostly through word of mouth, but, via the use of your own Facebook account, you can do more and even invite them to your pages.
Blogger, WordPress, LiveJournal and so on are all blogging services which allow you (much like this blog) to share large volumes of information. But best of all it allows you to further customise and format your sites and bring them to the links you want them to see.
Further information.
Below is a general breakdown of some sites, their customisability and their preferred usage method.
Twitter
Customisability: Limited, but can customise your theme.
Ease of use: Very easy to use, to connect with and to update.
Extra features: Mobile uploading from all major networks.
What it's used for: Updating brief concise chunks of information, "following" other Twitter users, some promotional use and keeping in touch with people 24/7.
Facebook
Customisability: The main theme is fixed, however, technology such as FBML add customisation options.
Ease of use: Very easy to use and to update.
Extra features: Mobile uploading from all major networks, groups and communities, business pages and paid advertising.
What it's used for: Business pages can be uploaded which incorporate contact details, statements and information from the organisation, working hours and other useful information/links.
Blogger
Customisability: With effort and patience it's entirely customisable.
Ease of use: Easy to use and easy to update.
Extra features: Through customisation you can add anything from customised graphics to flash video with a bit of time and effot
What it's used for: Uploading large amounts of information in blog format, providing links to other sites, profile information and connecting with more casual users.
WordPress
Customisability: Features a range of themes and customisation options.
Ease of use: Easy to use and easy to update.
Extra features: Through customisation and use of modules you can create any kind of informational blog you can design.
What it's used for: Uploading large amounts of information in blog format, providing links to other sites, profile information and connecting with more casual users.
YouTube
Customisability: Limited but some customisation offered.
Ease of use: Easy to search and view videos- uploading can be tricky.
Extra features: Subscribe to videos, playlists, commenting and a widespread user base.
What it's used for: Uploading videos, participating in community events, promotional aspects can be incorporated into videos and commenting on various videos, playlists and users.
That's all for now, later we will discuss some of the more specialised benefits of social media.
Hopefully one of the sites above can be incorporated into your organisation to help utilise a new wave of promotional, personal and corporate marketing opportunities.
All information presented here is © copyright Carkean Solutions Ltd., 2010 - Not to be used without our permission - The views expressed here are the views of an individual not the corporation
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