Developing a strategy for using corporate social media is a three-step process with participation by the highest levels in the organization. The strategy consists of describing organizational goals, defining the functions that make up the organizational activities and determining appropriate social media interactions. These initial steps can then be implemented in the correct organizational levels where they will be most effective.
Networking through the use of readily available avenues such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are used by a high percentage of people today. Businesses and organizations are also taking advantage of the opportunities found in rapid and wide-spread dissemination of information. Specifically, an organized strategy to take advantage of social networking will have three phases.
Designing a workable strategy begins with describing the goals of an organization. The specific goals will depend upon the organization, but communications improvement is a typical choice. The enhancement of communication and information dissemination could relate to employees, customers, officers of the business or stockholders. Another goal could be to increase the number of customers who are repeat buyers. Improving profitability is always important to a business.
Definition of the goals is followed by listing or identifying the many functions of an organization. Examples of functions could be customer service, financial management, administration and purchasing. Each of these functions and others as well are needed for the organization to operate successfully.
Finally, with goals and functions identified, the organization can begin designing initiatives that will promote the purposes of networking. Specifically, the corporation might create a corporate Facebook page that will serve as a recruiting and marketing tool Blogs are popular devices to show to customers or to foster the sense of belonging to a wider organization. A professional consultant might be retained to create and publish tutorials, lessons or courses on a related subject.
Corporate social media methods effectively promote products and services related to the corporation. Planning is the important element that cannot be eliminated. This type of networking is low cost and offers an ROI that is hard to beat.
Networking through the use of readily available avenues such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are used by a high percentage of people today. Businesses and organizations are also taking advantage of the opportunities found in rapid and wide-spread dissemination of information. Specifically, an organized strategy to take advantage of social networking will have three phases.
Designing a workable strategy begins with describing the goals of an organization. The specific goals will depend upon the organization, but communications improvement is a typical choice. The enhancement of communication and information dissemination could relate to employees, customers, officers of the business or stockholders. Another goal could be to increase the number of customers who are repeat buyers. Improving profitability is always important to a business.
Definition of the goals is followed by listing or identifying the many functions of an organization. Examples of functions could be customer service, financial management, administration and purchasing. Each of these functions and others as well are needed for the organization to operate successfully.
Finally, with goals and functions identified, the organization can begin designing initiatives that will promote the purposes of networking. Specifically, the corporation might create a corporate Facebook page that will serve as a recruiting and marketing tool Blogs are popular devices to show to customers or to foster the sense of belonging to a wider organization. A professional consultant might be retained to create and publish tutorials, lessons or courses on a related subject.
Corporate social media methods effectively promote products and services related to the corporation. Planning is the important element that cannot be eliminated. This type of networking is low cost and offers an ROI that is hard to beat.
About the Author:
Andy Albright is the CEO of National Agents Alliance, a life insurance provider that does $150MM+ in annual revenue. Looking into these tips for using corporate social media in life insurance sales, we would like to tell you more: National Agents Alliance Twitter page and National Agents Alliance Facebook page.
