The importance of social media in business today

The importance of

Social Media in business today

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Changes in the

digital landscape

The landscape in 2007

Xkcd.com 2007: Sizes based on membership of a community

The landscape in 2010

xkcd.com 2010: Sizes based on social activity in a community

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In May 2010 social overtook

search • Search 11.3%

• Social 11.9%

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From this…

Infographics are critical to effective modern digital communication

…To this

Infographics are critical to effective modern digital communication

How people use social media in UK

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Increasing social engagement

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Trust in communications

Peer to peer recommendation now at 90%,

trust in advertising 14%

Gen Y and their approach

Gen Y are organising the social web in a way that works for them

The rise of social rank

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What should businesses be

focusing on?

Engagement benefits

• Connecting with like-minded individuals

• Peer to peer recommendations

• Stimulating the debate of your most interest

• Engaging with people in the their spaces

• eCRM

• Data collation

• Product testing

• Informing business, brand, product strategy

• The financial worth of ‘Likes’

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5 uses of social media

• HR

• PR

• Direct Sales

• Customer Service

• Business Intelligence

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Have a digital code of conduct

• Be credible

• Be consistent

• Be transparent

• Be relevant

• Be an ambassador for

your organisation

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Have a social media policy

• Purpose

• Principles

• Statement of ethics

• Context for organisation

• Tools and services you use

• Professional and personal use

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Have social media staff guidance

• Before you engage checks

• Mitigation

• Research

• Outreach

• How to use specific channels

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Have an engagement strategy

• What are your business objectives?

• How will your endeavours contribute?

• How will you engage people?

• What do you want them to do?

• How will you measure your endeavours?

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What does this mean for us?

1 Listen, monitor and gain insights

2 Have processes for your people

3 Get involved in the digital world around you

4 Embrace openess and transparency

5 Engage don’t broadcast

6 Be flexible enough to adapt

Thank you

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Digital: • strategy • training programmes • social engagement • amplification