Chris Brogan’s recent blog post “50 Ways Marketers Can Use Social Media to Improve their Marketing” contains some great advice.
I’d like to weigh in on a few of his 50:
#13. “Try out a short series of audio podcasts or video podcasts as content marketing and see how they draw.”
It’s a cheap way to get your name out there. And you won’t know how it works unless you try. But you have to be willing to give a podcast time. When my day job employer decided to take the plunge into podcasting it started slowly. It even stalled for a few months. But after 50 podcasts in the last 2+ years, and some much smarter and more consistent PR for it, it is just starting to gain some name recognition in its industry.
#26. “Practice delivering quality content on your blogs, such that customers feel educated / equipped / informed.”
Very important to have a purpose to your corporate blog. Again, I’m learning this by doing at the corporate day job. If you have a reason for everything you post, you’re set. Keep in mind that you want to educate, equip or inform the reader. If you’ve got a new product, how can you stress the benefits in the best way? If you have an executive guest blog for you every once in awhile, what can he/she write about that is interesting and meaningful?
#35. “Remember that the people on social networks are all people, have likely been there a while, might know each other, and know that you’re new. Tread gently into new territories. Don’t NOT go. Just go gently.”
I think this is hugely important. You’ll make big mistakes if your company tries to barge its way in to MySpace or Facebook and play the role of the hip new kid on the block. Or, if you start asking a billion questions too soon. Be patient. Work the room a bit.
Lots of good advice, but those are just a few off Brogan’s list.
If you read the top of Brogan’s post, he notes that social media isn’t for every company. A blog might not be good for your business. You can’t make evrything a viral hit on YouTube.
But have the conversations. Get the “smart people” at your company in a room and talk it through.
What are you waiting for?
