As social media evolves, new opportunities and challenges emerge. To better understand this evolution let’s take a look at 1 quotes from social media experts on the new marketing paradigm.
Social Media Quote #1
“Marketing is no longer about the stuff that you make, but about the stories you tell.” – Seth Godin
Analysis
With the millions of new blog posts, videos and news stories posted everyday it can be challenging to rise above all the noise and get your business noticed. Instead of selling your product or services based on its features focus on telling a compelling story. A good story captures peoples attention and helps cultivate the development of brand champions. These brand champions will grow your brand and drive new customers to your business by sharing your story with their friends via social media.
Social Media Quote #2
“The old paradigm was pay to play. Now you get back what you authentically put in. You’ve got to be willing to play to play.” –Alex Bogusky
Analysis
With social media a business of any size can connect with customers, grow their brand and generate sales without spending a dime on paid advertising. In effect, social media has changed the game, small to midsize businesses can effective compete irrespective of their marketing and advertising budgets.
For businesses that embrace social media and engage with customers the rewards can be exception. Research shows that positive reviews by friends is one of the most effective ways to influence purchasing decisions and cultivate brand loyalty.
Social Media Quote #3
“Privacy is dead, and social media holds the smoking gun.” –Pete Cashmore
Analysis
As a result of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Reddit and YouTube the concept of private and public will never be the same. Social media has also impacted the way we communicate, our culture and the relationship consumers expect to have with businesses. Instead of fighting the paradigm shift, embrace social media and the “openness” that comes with it and see your business take flight.
Social Media Quote #4:
“New marketing is about the relationships, not the medium.” – Ben Grossman
Analysis
With new social media sites popping up every month it can be challenging to figure out where to focus your time and energy. It is easy to forget that social media is not about one site vs another, it is about cultivating relationships. Instead of comparing the pros and cons find the social media sites that enable you to most effectively engage with customers and build brand loyalty.
Social Media Quote #5
“A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is – it is what consumers tell each other it is.” – Scott Cook
Analysis
The “openness” facilitated by social media has made it more important than ever for businesses to operate in an ethical and fair manner. People are constantly sharing their experiences and thoughts about companies on social media with hundreds to thousands of people. As a consequence, business must “walk the talk” and be accountable to their customers.
Social Media Quote #6:
“The minute news hits the wires, it becomes a conversation. It’s just a question of how high [the] volume [of] that conversation will become.” – Doug Frisbie
Analysis
When bad news hits companies used to be able to take their time and plan how to respond. Today, a negative story or customer experience can be shared with millions of people within a matter of hours. If you wait to respond, a small story can reach millions and causing irreparable damage to your brand. Focus on responding to negative publicity in real-time on social media sites that are most popular with your customers, and you will be more successful in transforming negative publicity into a positive brand building opportunity.
Social Media Quote #7
“What used to be cigarette breaks could turn into ‘social media breaks’ as long as there is a clear signal and IT isn’t looking.” – David Armano
Analysis
Social media has changed how people use the web, connect with one another and share information. Just like smoke breaks, research shows that people naturally take social media breaks at work and throughout their day. Some reports even suggest that social media breaks at work actually increase productivity and overall happiness. This fundamental shift in behavior means that businesses have multiple chances throughout the day to reach customers using social media.
Social Media Quote #8
“As social media, or whatever you want to label it, becomes more prevalent, there will be blunders. We’re in experimental mode right now.” – Steve Hall
Analysis
Mistakes are bound to happen in any environment that is centered around real-time interaction and undergoing constant change.. Instead of worrying about making mistakes you should be worried about not making them. If you are not making mistakes that means your not experimenting. If you’re not experimenting that means your missing out on discovering new ways your business can use social media.