Ominous Signs For Social Media

Recent reports in the newspapers are extremely critical about the intention of the Government to restrict and control the so called “objectionable content” that is being posted on social media sites. To join the bandwagon is easy, but let us ponder for a moment whether the intentions of the authorities are justified. To jump to the conclusion that I am not against Government control will be premature. So please read on....

To put the subject is the proper perspective, as I see it; I draw your attention to a recent news report that president Obama has not allowed his daughters to use Facebook. The reports also said that the president use the Facebook platform to woo the youth during his campaign in 2008. Why would a parent prohibit his or her child from frequenting these sites? It is only out of concern for the child, lest he or she gets influenced by objectionable material which is easily accessible.
Let me share with you another view of mine. The media in our country has become extremely loud and one gets the impression that the view projected by a section of the people, through the willing media that likes controversial stories and topics, represents the opinion of the whole country. Let us not forget that there is the silent section of the population that has its well founded and logical views on almost every contemporary subject.
Now, coming to the point, by restricting and controlling social media, the Government will not achieve a thing. In a free country, suffocating measures like this have no place; the more it is controlled the greater the urge of unscrupulous elements to increase their malicious activities. Facebook and other social networking sites are used by the vast majority of the people for constructive activities. And parents please bring up your children well and make them good and responsible citizens.

How to Grow your Linkedin Network?

The world is a very small place, thanks to LinkedIn and its vast connection base worldwide. Founded in December 2002 and it was launched in May 2003. The best feature that I like most is- it does not have an online chat and you know why because then it would be more of building friends instead of looking at business opportunities. Wonderful creation of Mr. Reid Hoffman, I can now find any contact whom I wish to reach whether it’s the agencies or the direct prospective clients, it is possible here. The huge database of professional of all level (low-middle-higher) enables me to enhance my network with like-minded people in matter of minutes.

“LinkedIn is great for business development. I think I can get to almost any company via one or two connections. After all, people would much rather work with people who their friends know and trust.” - Guy Kawasaki, Successful entrepreneur, global investor, best-selling author and columnist, USA


Steps you must consider to increase your network are:

*Create an attractive and complete profile: Write about yourself, your profession and occupation with your present and past experience. Add your profile picture, it’s always better to have a picture rather that leaving it blank. It infuses 

 authenticity.

*Try to connect to the people whom you know, your colleagues, friends and classmate.

*Once you have good number of connections, join the groups as per your industries, for eg: If you are looking to seek business opportunities in Hospitality industry, then join various groups that talk about numerous aspects of hospitality industry, locally or worldwide.

*Participate in discussions and post your updates on a regular basis. Always keep in your mind to maintain that professionalism while doing this.    

So expand you business via LinkedIn, by increasing the network of right people and on right time.
In the next post I will update you with how LinkedIn as a network tool can be smartly used.

Emerging Social Marketing Trends

The whole concept of marketing has undergone a sea change in the digital world. It is a fact today that, with the popularity of social networking sites galloping ahead by leaps and bounds, marketers use them to great advantage. Nine out of ten internet users frequent social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and connect with their contacts across the world. The time spent by users on networking sites is also increasing and the average user spends more than 8 hours on networking sites every month.

Recently I was contacted by a person with an offer to join an organization that promotes e commerce and gives an opportunity to its members to network and make money. The fact that the offer sounded attractive is beside the point, though I am not sure that there is a hidden catch somewhere. The point I am making is, when I went to see the presentation on the company and the details of the business, I found a large crowd of youngsters who are already doing this business. All of them recommended it to me. This shows the impact social networking has on today’s generation. Let me clarify. All the people I saw were not youngsters, though they formed the majority.

The advent of 3G has accelerated the use of e-commerce, especially in the US. India is catching up. It is said that one in four users in the US has a Smartphone. It is also said that the number of users having accessibility to the internet on their mobile phones is increasing rapidly. This penetration, along with the increasing usage, is being used by marketers to sell products and services. If I put it in the proper perspective, the social media route is the one that is most preferred by marketers since the reach is tremendous.

What must not be forgotten is that online entertainment media like videos, songs and educational media like books are also increasingly being purchased on line

In the near future will we come to a stage where traditional forms of marketing will disappear? That day doesn’t seem far off.....

Who Is the King of Social Network: Google+ or Facebook

Recently a new service Google+1 has been introduced, one more social networking site offered by Google represents a real rival to the Facebook’s Like button. After the hit by facebook on orkut, Google can no longer wait to take its revenge. The main aim for this project is to competite with facebook. Now google is ready in the battlegrounds for battle. Plus one helps to estimate what exactly people are interested of and concerned about. 

On the first look, Google+ looks cleaner, snappier and more intuitive than Facebook. And after having it used for nearly a day, the opinion has grown stronger. Every part of the user interface is faster than Facebook, and yet better on eyes. Searching for people, for instance, is super fast. Think of people search as Google Instant for Social.

This new service of Google+ will obviously enjoy high popularity among internet users as Google is the largest search engine in the world. Over half of incoming traffic comes from Google and this number is the hugest among the traffics from other sites. But can not ignore the fact that, the social networking site Facebook rank just next to it and takes the second place referring traffic.
It is worth to have Google+ button now on websites, just as Facebook. Google has become more social and its spreading faster and faster. I am with Google+ are you too?

How to use LinkedIn for various purposes?

Once you have created your LinkedIn account, expanding your network and utilizing it goes on simultaneously. In the previous post I had explained how you can increase network connections and get in touch with the person you wish. And now I would try to focus on its exploration and usability. One should be aware of the usage of LinkedIn as it helps you in the wide business scenario.

The essential uses of LinkedIn can be:

Increases Your Brand's Visibility:

LinkedIn can be utilized for increasing brand visibility! It helps in promoting the product while you regularly update on the new features, presentations, blogs etc. You can also answer the questions which relates to your products and services, for example Question like "where can I find content writer?" If you fit the bill you can participate there.

LinkedIn as a Recruiting Tool:

It can be used by the head hunters and recruiters to find the candidates as per their requirement. It can also be used vis a vis by the job seeker to find a job. It helps you to find right person for the right job ultimately reducing your work effort.

Generates Sales Leads:

It can be used to explore new business avenues and partners who would be interested in your product and services. Also if your lead generation turns into closing of sales, you can ask them to give a recommendation on LinkedIn. You can get your service recommended in Services category of LinkedIn. The more recommendations you have, the better your business looks.

It helps to generate traffic and support SEO:

It increases your visitors on your website which promotes your company on LinkedIn. It may also translate in getting backlinks, if tour content is authentic and well-shared by many on the site.

Increases Your Credibility:

You can list your qualifications, past jobs experiences, current role, interests, awards and other achievements or statement of capabilities which shows your credibility.

So LinkedIn can be used either by the buyer or the seller, it is a place where both widen their horizons as well as look into others universe and put it to their constructive use with each other. It can be used by business owners, account managers, business development managers and anyone else who is in sales, marketing, finance and HR.

Why A Company Should Monitor Social Media?

Zillions of people are communicating on social media channels, as this platform provides quicker and effective communication that is unmatched by any other medium, today. And the most interesting fact that we fail to notice each day is number of users increasing tremendously at high speed which has laid the foundation for creating an impact on business world.
When someone mentions that a Company must monitor social media sites; the next obvious question that arises is 'Why a company should Monitor Social Media sites?' So here is why:

Demand: It is an important factor for a Company to know demand in the market before and after introducing a new product and/or service. Like and dislike of the consumers should be known by the Company.  Each consumer enjoys being listened to and if a company listens keenly to their complains and compliments then they are sure to have a loyal follower for life.

It helps wonderfully in test marketing, and the risk of a business is reduced to a great extent. Social Media Monitoring also works for research on brands, patents, trademarks, etc. Don't forget the active surveys on various products that can be conducted online in matter of minutes! So, baby!! Listen to your loved ones -Your Customers! 

Connect And Engage: Who does not like to be connected? “Not me”. So a Company should commence their social media strategies and start monitoring to be connected on Social Media platform and channels. When a company is well connected, it also plays a role of engagement with their prospective and existing customers.

Stand on Competition: Competition! No company ignores competition in this vast, throat cutting global market. To face the hard competition a company should first start monitoring and ACT TODAY! Who is doing what? Why people like my competitors’ product? Can I grab them and make my customers?
The solution to all this is at your finger tips ‘one and only Social Media Monitoring’. 

 

Branding: Branding is what a Company should concentrate on and explore! For building online reputation in the giant global market it is pivotal to monitor. Monitor your brand where it stands as against your competitors and analyse precisely to strategise your further plan of action. These comparisons enable the company to built and develop their brand.

All the above factors are very essential for a company to survive and flourish in today’s business world.  So before it’s too late a Company should start Monitoring Social Media sites. Knock Knock! Hey I am ‘SOCIAL MEDIA MONITORING TOOL, OPEN THE DOOR BEFORE I GO AWAY!’

Social Media Beginner's Checklist

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Social Media Beginner's Checklist

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