Social Media Optimization

The term "social media" is most commonly used to describe web sharing and discussing information; communal activities that integrate technology, telecommunications and social interaction; audio, photos, networks). There's really only one rule in social media Individuals decide what content is worth sharing, discussing, rating, downloading, joining. They base those decisions largely on what their peers are do influencers" - thought leaders with lots of people following their blog, podcast, forum, video channel, network, etc.

ROI of Social Media Across the Company

Resources are limited during a difficult economy, and the workload often falls on the shoulders of fewer employees, with the expectation of timely delivery and quality results just as high as before the downsizing. Not to panic!

Your thinking may not be broad enough when you're considering the role of social media to augment functions within your organization. While marketing is an obvious fit, don't overlook the value that social media brings to other business processes:

• Human Resources: Social media boosts a company's brand online, therefore attracting more job candidates, and if social media use by employees is encouraged (such as corporate blogging, running company Facebook group), and staff is happier and tend to stay longer.
• Bottom Line: Reduced employee turnover; lower hiring and training costs; lower costs for job advertising.
• Customer Service: Social media means open lines of communication between consumer and company, so customer problems and needs can be addressed in a real-time, transparent environment. The result is accountability and trust by consumers.
• Bottom Line: Less customer churn, lower customer acquisition costs; higher customer conversion rates.
• PR/Media Relations: Social media is used more and more by mainstream journalists, as well as citizen journalists/bloggers, for spreading the news and views of a company with easy dissemination of photos, videos, and links.
• Bottom Line: Higher profile means more business leads, more sales per customer. Corporate Communications/Shareholder Relations: Social media allows a company to keep close tabs on what the public at large, as well as investors, competitors, and consumer groups are saying about it.
• Bottom Line: Enhanced share value; online reputation management; crisis aversion/management.

In every one of these scenarios, increased revenue is the end-point of a strategic social media program's development and careful implementation.

What to Look for in the Services of a Social Media Consultant

WSI Consultants feature the following attributes in their social media service packages:

• Scalability: not every social media project is the same. Look for different sized packages options.
• Affordability: A range of price points to suit every marketing budget.
• Customization: A la carte menus and custom-order jobs to suit special cases.
• Pre-sales support: Conference calls and online meetings with social media experts to support the end client.
• Personal service: Direct contact with social media strategists, writers, researchers, analysts throughout the project.
• Follow-up: Continuation of service beyond the contract in the form of ongoing social media metrics and updates.

Read our whitepaper on Social Media.