Social Media

This neat Infographic by Muhammed Saleem of Car Insurance Guide shows how some of the major automotive brands are employing social media to reach out to the public. You can view the full graphic by clicking the image below:

Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks give companies various opportunities. But the marketing with social media platforms also bears some risks. As internetworld.de reports, the study “Next Corporate Communication” from the University of St. Gallen put out some concerns of businesses in using social media. To prove this, more than hundred interviews with company representatives, service providers and researchers were conducted.

Based on that result the three greatest sins in using social networks has been analyzed:

1. Feedback stays unused
The information from social media applications are not processed adequately. That’s because marketing departments are not manned sufficient. Thus the work of the employees is for nothing.

2. Distorted public image
Only through social media guidelines employees know what information they should spread to the outside world. Otherwise there could be a scenario in which the statements of the employees contradict the ones of the corporate communication – and that leads to counterproductive effects.

3. Losing control
Social Media is subject to certain momentum. Therefore, companies are concerned that communication content can hardly be controlled. So information can spread quickly and damage the image of the company. Companies should therefore install control mechanisms.

Purchasing decisions are increasingly made online, particularly among young consumers and mostly in social networks. Via online, social and mobile media, modern brand communication, high-reach target group appeal and the development of new sales potential are possible.
A huge potential that fashion brands and retailers increasingly want to take advantage of. But who’s ahead on the Web in the future? And what new themes and trends will determine the future of online fashion shopping?
These questions are the focus of the Sportswear International E-Fashion Summit, held for the first time on December 2, 2010 in Frankfurt.
The Highlights:

- More than 25 international success stories and top speakers
- 3 parallel sessions on the trend themes: Online, Mobile and Social Media
- Grand Finale discussion on the future of E-Fashion
- Afterparty by Levi’s® Curve ID
Detailed information and registration at: www.conferencegroup.de/efashion10

Discover the latest E-Fashion trends and hypes and secure yourself one of the last places!
Register now for a special price – Projektwerk users save EUR €200.00!

A while ago we read an interesting article about how social media and e-mail traffic can increase conversions. The example is Delight.com, a successful live shopping portal from the USA. In an interview with stylecampaign.com,  Lynda Keeler, Co Founder of Deslight.com, says the following: “E-mail and social media work like a tag team. My own experience is that I’ll send out a newsletter, carry on the conversation on Twitter, often via DM then end up back on email. This is mostly due to the frustration of only 140 characters and because e-mail feels more private.” Furthermore she says: “The Social Media group has shown a 20% increase in conversion compared to other traffic drivers.” See the whole article on stylecampaign.com.

Human resources usually describes the individuals who comprise the workforce of an organization; often its most valuable asset. Therefore, the strategies and policies relating to the management of individuals are very important factors for most businesses.

Apparently, human resource professionals are still hesitant and critical when it comes to anything technology related, including applicant recruitment and employee selection through social media. However, social medias’ popularity and possibilities have forced H&R professionals to give the medium a second thought.

This post on mashable discusses the issue and looks at how social media is affecting the human resources field.

What are your experiences?

The good old advertising sign has outlived its usefulness. As reported recently in paidContent.org, the use of conventional online advertising media such as banners and pop-ups is expected to decline significantly in coming years. You, too, should explore new ways of acquiring and retaining customers. In addition to newsletters, search engine optimisation and promotions, social networks and social media tools are especially useful in allowing you – inexpensively – to get closer to your target audience and increase awareness of your online shop. Social Media Optimisation (SMO) is the new strategy for success. In this series of articles, we will portray the most important opportunities for socially marketing your online shop. This first article focuses on weblogs.

Blogs as Marketing Channel

Weblogs are currently the most important channels for effective dialogue with specific target groups. There is nothing simpler than creating and maintaining a blog – a digital diary. Weblogs are topic-specific, extremely dynamic and interactive. We no longer live in the era of enlightened webmasters sharing their expertise with timid Internet novices. Nowadays, everyone is participating and – potentially – they can all spread the word about your products or services.
Purpose and Benefit of Your Corporate Blog

In your corporate blog, you can address everything related to your business. Write about the products in your shop, details on manufacturers or production methods, your market pursuits, or aspects of your everyday business life which are interesting, amusing or exciting. Interesting blogs are cited and linked by fellow bloggers. As a result, you will enhance your recognition and attract the attention of Google: after all, being linked means being relevant. And being relevant means being successful! If your weblog has a different domain than your shop, you can link them to one another for added mutual benefit.

Blogging does not merely entail permitting comments – you should also name pages which contain links to your blog. Many blog services offer a trackback function which allows you to monitor instances of linking. By the way, comments can serve as a meaningful feedback tool. Even negative feedback is good feedback. It tells you what your target group feels needs improvement and what they want in the future – and you stand out above the crowd by being transparent.

Publicise Your Corporate Blog

Draw attention to your blog by mentioning it in a newsletter, for example. In addition, surf the Web to find blogs and forums about your industry. Link to them and participate in discussions. But be careful: relevance is key here, as well; otherwise, you will quickly acquire a bad reputation as a spammer. To become a true member of the community, conduct yourself as a leader of opinion. Keep in mind that people dislike the buying of backlinks (links on other websites which link back to your own site).
Integrate a Blog in Your Shop or Your Website

Available external blog systems are for example:

• WordPress (very popular)
• Serendipity
• Textpattern
• Movable Type (only gratis for private use)
• ExpressionEngine (for commercial use)

Whether you are a start-up or a freelancer, marketing will possibly be something, you cannot afford. But it is marketing that starts your business off just right, so here are some tipps on how to market your business or knowledge without any costs, except for time.

Write and circulate press releases
Online public relation is by far easier and less complicated than classic public relations offline – and absolutely worthwhile. No creating extensive mailing lists, no connecting to the press.
Instead press releases can be distributed via free press portals. Once published, the press releases reach journalists and consumers alike while generating links to your website or online profile.

Join freelance platforms
Start-ups and freelancers benefit from utilizing online freelance platforms. Not only is it possible to generate projects, it is also easy to connect to businesses or other freelancers and little by little build a network.

Write guest articles
Start-ups and freelancers have a lot of knowledge to share – experiences, tipps, do´s and don´ts, but also expertise. To share this knowledge with others generates attention and links to your own website or profile – which makes it an asset in online marketing.
And: Most blogs are open to guest articles from professionals.

Take part in the discourse
To keep informed about what is happening in your sector is understood – so why not just take part and get active and outspoken yourself?
Writing comments about articles or posting something in discussion forums is easily done and aids your online marketing profoundly.

Use social media
Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter – when it comes to social media sites, you can pick and choose. Try to use as many channels as possible to reach as many potential customers as possible – and to strengthen your network.

Am 8.06. startet das Online Marketing Forum, die Konferenz für Trends im Online Marketing.  Weitere Termine sind: Düsseldorf (10. Juni 2010), Hamburg (15. Juni 2010) und München (22. Juni 2010).

Social Media, Bewegtbildwerbung oder Mobile Marketing. Dies sind die Themen die die Online Marketing Entscheider derzeit bewegt. Doch was steckt dahinter, welche Kanäle sind wirklich business-relevant. Wann lohnt sich z.B. der Einsatz von Social Media, wie wird der Erfolg gemessen, welchen Einfluss haben die neuen Kanäle auf die Markenwahrnehmung und welche Konsequenzen ergeben sich daraus für das Marketing? Dies alles sind Fragestelllungen, die beim diesjährigen Online Marketing Forum beantwortet werden.

In jeder Stadt erwartet die Teilnehmer ein unterschiedliches Programm (Teilnahmegebühr ab 199€ zzgl. MwSt.). Das aktuelle Programm des Online Marketing Forums, weiterführende Informationen und Anmeldung unter: http://www.onlinemarketingforum.de.

Jetzt mit projektwerk günstiger zum Online Marketing Forum. Bitte geben Sie hierfür bei der Anmeldung unter http://www.onlinemarketingforum.de/Anmeldung/Anmeldung-Teilnahme folgenden Code ein: PROomf10Fprw

Ignorance and a lack of understanding undermine the implementation of social media in many medium sized businesses.

The question is: What is social media useful for?

The social web is a communication network. Completely new ways of communicating have developed online. More and more people are using these to express their opinions and exchange information. This fact cannot be denied.

Different kinds of people are talking to each other, commenting or forwarding things that have been posted in blogs and pictures are uploaded in public galleries.
Social networks, like facebook, are used to find old and new friends and to reconnect.
This leaves a huge network of social relationships and information, which is exchanged and rated.

And it is not only products or services of big businesses that are being talked about…

building a successful career can be a daunting experience, or it can be one of excitement and adventure. amybeth hale, on mashable, narrows down four important qualities after interviewing 17 up and coming professionals in their various jobs.

1. develop authentic relationships:

one of the best ways to touch down running in your career is to develop a solid relationship with a mentor. one who will guide and help you through the pit falls.

2. be a digital trend-setter:

this involves being up-to-date on digital trends. it is one way a professional can stay ahead of the curve.

3. take risks:

although still somewhat unconventional, social media channels can turn out to be fruitful avenues.

4. give back:

just as others were willing to guide you and provide great information or resources that helped you to succeed, you should also be willing to give back to those coming after you.