The Power of Harnessing Social Media

harnessing the powerof social media ♥♥♥

mel kirksocial media consultant

“Social media are primarily Internet- and mobile-based tools for sharing and discussing information among human beings. The term most often refers to activities that integrate technology, telecommunications and social interaction, and the construction of words, pictures, videos and audio”

source: Wikipedia

personal homepage

personal content creation

ability to add friends

ability to share and interact

FEATURES:

+ =

4mations.tv

the reason i earn a wage...

http://flickr.com/photos/redvers/532076662/

Things are changingTraditional media now has to keep upThe relationship between the producer and the consumer is changingPeople want things on demand in a format they request

you can’t put your media out there

and expect people to...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21684319@N04/

flock

When communication is one way

your users do this

you need to...

http://flickr.com/photos/betta_design/2200198472/

RESEARCH - know your marketknow where they hang out / how they communicateknow your product inside out

find your advocates

Not only will your users have an existing relationship of trust with themThey’ll have a further reach and influence

(tools!)

Give them the tools to let them do word of mouth for youThis might be assets, support, briefs, insider information, stuff for competitions

own blog

PREPARE TO GIVE UP POWER TO THE MASSESDECISIONS WILL BE JOINTLY MADEBE PREPARED FOR NEGATIVE COMMENTS - ADDRESS OPENLY

Don’t go creating new community hubs if they already existContribute to the existing ones instead BECOME PART OF THE CONVERSATIONEMBRACE EXISTING COMMUNITIES

don’t add features that aren’t wanted or needed

tumbleweed

A FORUM WITH NO ACTIVITY IS WORSE THAN NO FORUM AT ALL

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seeks2dream/2520279807/

Follow trailsWhat you go out there thinking your users want can often be different than how the site ends up - be prepared to make changes and to suit needse.g. multi-threading

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cleversimon/

Listen to user feedback Incorporate in future releasesACTUALLY LISTEN

personality and character are key

Twitter’s FailWhale is a prime exampleCopy is just as important as design

Ownership is keyLet users distribute content in the way they see fitYouTube - viral distribution - just be smart - video player watermarked etcCopy on the site - give them a sense of belonging

Flickr do this beautifully - their copy is engaging and gives a real sense of belonging

blog.4mations.tv

Twitter.com/4mations

Flickr.com/4mations

Facebook - Official 4mations Group

Youtube/user/4mationsTV

Animation forums

so in summary...

don’t

be sure to...

research

RESEARCH

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cleversimon/

adapt

ADAPT

embrace advocates

Embrace advocates

and in return, you’ll get community...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninakupenda81/

mel kirkslides will be available on: slideshare

randommel.com