You’ve heard it before, social media is important. But what if you’re in a boring industry where your customers don’t care if you have a Twitter account, are on Facebook, or share content on Google+? That’s what you’re thinking, right? If you’re thinking it, your competitors are probably thinking it too…except for those who aren’t. And those competitors who are using these tools to grow their business are stealing your customers, because they’re willing to do what you aren’t.
Every day potential customers are talking on social media, asking questions of family, friends, and followers about their likes and dislikes, what products, services, and businesses they recommend, where they should shop, and who they should stay away from.
What if your business is mentioned, either positively or negatively? Are you monitoring the conversation that customers and potential customers are having about your business?
Social media is a tool. Just like the telephone is a tool. Or email. Or a hammer. It’s not so important what the tool is, but how you use it. If potential customers are calling your office, but you don’t answer the phone, it’s an ineffective tool, and it’s costing you business by not using it. If potential customers are asking on Twitter about a service you provide in your town, but you aren’t listening, you’re losing that business.
In the past few years, social media has come a long way, especially in how it can be used for business. One of the first people to realize the power of social networking was author Erik Qualman, who wrote a fantastic book on the topic, titled appropriately, Socialnomics.
Over the past several years, Qualman has created several highly influential videos dealing with the most recent statistics of social media and it’s relation to business and the marketplace. It should probably come as no surprise, but 2011 has seen a greater adoption of this tool by both individuals and companies than ever before.
Watch the video below to see statistically just how much of an impact social media has and continues to exert on all areas of life.
Think about it. The only constant in life is change. That goes for business as well. When the personal computer was first introduced, it was revolutionary. When the cell phone first came out and gained broad acceptance, it changed business. Social media is no different. There are those who run from change and the new tools required to grow and adapt, and there are others who will embrace it. Those who embrace change, thrive. Those who hide from it, get swallowed up by it and die.
Which group are you in?
