Answers to your Social Media Questions

1) What is Social Media?

Social media is mainly internet- and mobile-based tools for sharing and discussing information.  Social media includes blogs, wikis, video hosting, message boards, podcasts, etc.

2) Is social media free?

Yes, most of the social media tools are free to use.  Although, just like in the public relations field, there may be a cost involved with utilizing the time and expertise of professionals you may hire to brand, promote, and develop quality content.  While some companies may be hesitant to pay for a social media agency, often times by hiring an agency, the company could possibly save internal resources and be provided with strategy, direction, and positive results

3) By using social media, do I give ideas and content away that I should charge for?   

Absolutely not – the more you give, the more you will receive in social media.  Do not think that everything you produce is proprietary.  With social media, to be the “expert” in your field, you must show it. 

4) What is a viral campaign?

Viral marketing and viral advertising refers to marketing techniques that use pre-existing social networks to produce increases in brand awareness, and is designed to spread your message rapidly. 

5) Can you create a viral campaign for me immediately?

No, because organic viral is difficult to promise or replicate and the results are ultimately in the hands of the audience, as well as a number of other variables.  You will need to design a strategic campaign to incite conversations and interest.

6) Is there a way to measure the ROI (return on investment) in social media?

Social media has shown a huge ROI through increased search engine optimization alone.  This results in new business leads, in addition to brand recognition and positioning that leads you into the conversations of your target audience.

7) Is social media directed towards tweens, teens, and twenty-something’s?

No.  Even though it might be perceived that social media is for the “youngsters”, older demographics are rapidly moving in this direction.  According to BusinessWeek, Facebook’s 35-and-up crowd now accounts for more that 41 percent of all Facebook visitors. 

8) Could social networking replace networking?

No, social networking will not replace networking – it will only enhance it.  If you want to be a successful networker for your organization, you must use the two together. 

9) How much work is involved in participating in social media?

By posting a blog, you are not going to get the traffic you are hoping for by merely writing about things as they pop into your head, and it is definitely not going to show you are an expert in the field.  It is going to take time and work to get results with social media. 

10) What if I find blogging intimidating?

Many people find blogging intimidating, but please keep in mind that 1) Comments can be monitored to filter out spam and trash from the important negative comments, which can be a helpful way to hear customer feedback; and 2) the social media community is open, honest, and more forgiving that you think.   

11) Could social media just be a fad?

Absolutely not -- the popularity of social media is everywhere.  Social media is causing a fundamental shift in communication, resulting in new ways of networking, communicating, and living.  It is becoming intertwined in many lifestyles, which means it is here to stay.