Regardless of the pedigree - public relations, corporate communications, marketing, customer service, research, etc. - today’s social media task masters are probably still operating from the traditional corporate mindset or training. First, you define your audience and your goals and objectives. Then you develop talking points to convince that audience to complete the action that fulfills the goals or objectives. Then you measure, report; rinse, repeat.

The problem is that social media is an environment that scoffs at the traditional. Talking points are about as useful in a social media campaign as a nail gun in a balloon store. You’re just gonna piss everybody off…

via The Key To Developing A Social Media Strategy | Social Media Explorer.

Tonight, I watched a PR Week video interview with John Bell, managing director of 360 Digital Influence, Ogilvy. He said that one of the biggest trends he’s seen during the past six months or so is that more clients are moving away from big “cathedral” programs in social media and toward pilot programs where they can rapidly get some quick learning…

via Should Brands Approach Social Media with a “Pilot Program” Mindset? | Communications Catalyst.

The fact is, social commerce is about much more than a corporate brand presence on Facebook or Twitter. Successful social commerce marketing is about soliciting structured feedback relevant to shopping and buying, and making this feedback available to customers making these purchase decisions…

via Social media drives sales — if you know how to use it | Bazaarblog.

via Women Who Blog - eMarketer .

What are you doing?

SmartBlog On Social Media » Blog Archive » Andy’s Answers: Avoid the shiny-new-object disease.

Study findings are detailed in a report, which delves into the media and technology habits and purchasing patterns of mothers.

Additional findings about moms and technology:

• Overall, full-time working moms use technology at the highest rates.
• The cell phone is the technology used most often by moms to communicate with their kids, and 80% say it is the direct line to their child and babysitter.
• 60% of moms use text messaging, and African-American moms and Hispanic moms text more than Caucasian moms.
• MySpace is the most common personal networking site used by all moms (42%).
• Best Buy is the leading electronic retailer for moms of all income groups, and particularly moms in high-income households.

via Top 10 Online Activities for Moms.

Yes, I realize that sounds incredibly dramatic, but it’s true. Here’s the deal: through social media, I have managed to make amazing friends, get a great job, and build professional connections around the country that help me every day. I came into social media from a professional perspective about a year ago. I was skeptical as to what it could offer, and now couldn’t do my job without Twitter. Or maybe, rather, I wouldn’t want to. I love being able to DM a reporter or an expert on a whim, have a conversation which may lead to a phone call, all without feeling the pressure of a cold call.
I find it frustrating that so many people are against social media, or especially Twitter, and especially in the public sector…

My initial reaction was “there’s no such thing as bad press.” That was before I read the accounts of the video (the videos have been removed).  Sickening! 

Now, to add insult to injury, the president of Domino’s posted a video response that comes off as scripted. Not that I’m an expert on acting, but at least try to look like you’re not reading the teleprompter.

Why does the most empassioned point comes well after the 1:20 mark? If it sickens Mr. Doyle, get that point across first. This is social media. Make a splash! I’d also recommend reordering the title as in “Domino’s President Responds to Video Hoax”. Emphasis on hoax.

All that said, it’s crucial to be out in front of the mainstream media in a situation like this. You don’t want people seeing it in the NYT. The only way to nip stories like these in the bud is by having your organization’s ear to the social media ground.

Social media mentions can be an early warning system. Only if you’re listening can you implement your organization’s social media diasater plan. Will you be prepared?