using social media to get your message to the masses connor

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Using Social Media to get Using Social Media to get Your Message to the MassesYour Message to the Masses

Angela Connor aconnor@cbcnewmedia.com

November 5, 2008

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Popular Social Media Sites

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

What are some of my options?

• Blogging• Micro-blogging• Social bookmarking• Photo sharing• Online communities• Video sharing• Event sharing• Commenting

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Blogging

• Your distinct voice • Builds your brand and loyal audience• No rules • Your personal platform • Create community • Show your expertise

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Micro-blogging

• Immediacy• Instant contact and new insights• Build relationships• Blast service similar to press releases• Short and to-the-point (140 characters) • Works like an e-mail blast • Compliments your other platforms

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Social Bookmarking

• Track industry news and share your content

• Easy way to share news stories and other content on the web

• Share news• Become an authority on news affecting

your industry

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Photo sharing

• Showcase your events • Gallery displays• This Just In! Post images of new inventory

• TIP: Create your own Flickr account and post the link on printed literature

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Online Communities

• Create niche groups • Reach narrow or broad audiences• Promote events • Raise awareness • No cost to you • Can serve as your main hub or central

social media presence • Capitalize on existing audience

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Online Communities

• Create niche groups & Promote events

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Online Communities

• Create niche groups & Promote events

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Video sharing

• Provides a free outlet for testimonials, events and direct messages from you.

• Gets customers and potential customers up close and personal with your products and inventory.

• TIP: Create your own YouTube channel. It’s free!

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Added Benefits of Using Social Media

• Become your own news distributor• Decrease dependency on mainstream and

traditional media• Reach niche audiences, locally and

nationally• New reach

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

How do I Proceed?

Define your goals and choose the platform(s) that will help

you meet them!

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Your industry and social media

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Your Industry and Social Media • “Home furnishings and decor

marketers must offer a robust online presence, packed with data that includes price, product details, brand information, and customer reviews and feedback. These elements are part of the 'new customer service' that the Internet offers and which truly influence purchase,"

Pam Danzinger, Unity Marketing

• Successful social network sites add value to organizations that provide them. In addition to boosting long term customer loyalty and sales for your organization, there is the possibility that someday a major media outlet may want to buy you out in order to gain access to your user base. Think HGTV, O at Home, etc. They are all searching for ways to more tightly align their advertising with “opted in” consumers.

Leslie Carothers

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Online Resources

• What you need to know about social networking, by Leslie Carothers

• Using Online Social Networks to Build Buzz, Community & Support

• Micro-blogging for online reputation management

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Takeaways

• Use social media to deliver EVERY message you want to deliver. – Events – Press releases– New inventory and sales

• Capitalize on free services before attempting to create your own.

• Manage your online reputation and have fun!

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

Contact Information Angela Connor

Managing Editor/User-Generated ContentWRAL.com | GOLO.com

aconnor@cbcnewmedia.com919.821.8545

Visit my blog: Online Community Strategist

blog.angelaconnor.com

Angela Connor 919.821.8545

What people do in online communities

• Share Stories and Exchange Ideas• Seek Advice• Discuss Issues• Argue and Debate • Make Friends • Interact • Vent

– Traffic Woes – Poor customer service – Movie Reviews

• Share Secrets