DEBUNKING SOCIAL MEDIA MYTHS @chiphanna | @balcomagency

@ryanjcormier | @ratiodigital

Social media is a hot topic. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation out there.

Ever heard someone say this?

•  Social media is just for kids

•  B2B customers aren’t using social media

•  We know what the next big thing in social is

•  It doesn’t matter when I respond, as long as I do

•  Everyone sees every post I make for my client

•  Social media is free

•  There is no ROI in social media

•  Social media doesn’t influence search rankings

•  Social media is strictly about PR (or marketing/digital/etc.)

•  I don’t have time to be on social media

•  There’s a one-size-fits-all solution for social media

Myth: Social media is just for kids

Fact: Social media is not just for kids

Who’s using social media?

•  92% of people ages 18-29

•  73% of people ages 30-49

•  57% of people ages 50-64

•  38% of people ages 65+

–  18% of which do so daily

The only tools used more are email and search engines

Which sites are adults using?

•  1 in 6 use Pinterest

•  1 in 6 use Instagram

•  1 in 6 use Twitter

•  2 in 3 use Facebook

Myth: B2B customers aren’t using social media

Fact: B2B customers are using social media

“Social media has given the customers a voice. You must engage with them or soon become obsolete to them.”

-  Kevin Espinosa, Social Media Manager | Caterpillar

•  Social media helped over 56% of B2B marketers acquire new business partnerships

•  Almost 60% saw improved search rankings

•  69% gained valuable market insight

Myth: We know what the next big thing in social is

Fact: Nobody knows what the next big thing is

Myth: It doesn’t matter when I respond, as long as I do

Fact: It does matter when you respond

Myth: Everyone sees every post I make for my client

Fact: very few of your fans see your posts

However, not all is lost

Myth: Social media is free

Fact: Social media is not free

•  Social media requires time

•  Time costs money

•  Therefore, social media costs money

Myth: There is no ROI in social media

Fact: There is a ROI in social media

What’s the ROI on this?

Which traffic source would you prefer?

Myth: Social media doesn’t influence search rankings

Fact: Social media does influence search rankings

We literally had to add this yesterday

Myth: Social media is strictly about PR (or marketing/digital/etc.)

Fact: It all needs to be integrated

•  Social media combines the best of PR, digital, marketing and advertising

•  We need to work together to have success

•  Why?

What are the best boots for fat calves?

Myth: I don’t have time to be on social media

Fact: you can’t afford not to be

Myth: There’s a one-size-fits-all solution for social

Fact: There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution for social

•  It takes a lot of planning, work and dedication

•  You have to be committed

•  You can’t expect it to be free or easy

•  Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet

We’re curious – what myths have you heard?

Thank you!

Chip Hanna | @chiphanna

Balcom Agency | @balcomagency

Facebook.com/balcomagency

Ryan Cormier | @ryanjcormier

Ratio Digital | @ratiodigital

Facebook.com/ratiodigital

AAF Fort Worth | @aaffortworth