Objections to Social Media – And Why It’s a Good Idea for Your Business Anyway

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If you spend any time on the web, you may already know that social media sites have the monopoly on marketing to today’s consumers. With all types of goods and services—from cereal to modeling agencies to deodorant—going viral on the Internet, there’s no better way to get the word out about your product or service than online exposure.
Despite the success of social media marketing for so many companies, many businesspeople are reluctant to implement it. Below are some of the most common objections we hear, along with our responses:

• “Our customers don’t use social media”: If you think social media is only used by kids, or that your customer base isn’t online, you’re dead wrong. Statistically speaking, almost everyone in the U.S. is online – from kids to adults to grandparents – and social networks are where it’s at. Even investors read blogs to develop a feel for the markets – Brunswick Research reports that 47% research blogs to get tips and advice for smart money management. No matter who your customer is and no matter what you’re selling, your most lucrative targets are using social networks. Can you afford not to capitalize on that fact?
• “People will badmouth us online”: The Internet is full of people who will criticize and slander – but it’s also a place where satisfied customers can give you glowing feedback and acknowledge what you’re doing right. It takes a skilled hand to navigate the bad and enhance the good, but if you’re not out there doing it, those negative comments are still getting posted on review sites – and you have no way to monitor or control them. It’s always better to put the truth forward and represent yourself online in the best possible light.
• “We don’t have the time for social media”: Yes, social media requires time and attention, particularly at the beginning when you’re still learning the ropes. But it would be bad business to ignore it just because there’s a learning curve. Your audience is right there waiting, and it’s a cheap—or even free—marketing opportunity. If you truly don’t have the time to manage your social media presence yourself, hire a consultant – but keep an eye on their work, because everything they post on your profiles represents you.
• “Our IT department says social media is a security risk”: Sure, there are risks involved in using social media. But ignoring it altogether would be like refusing to send your kids to school because they might catch the flu. Everything worth doing presents risks; the important thing is to manage them intelligently, which is easy to do by working with your IT department instead of letting them direct your decisions.
With new business approaches, there are always reasons to avoid change. Social media will only become more prominent in the future, though, so if you haven’t yet made the plunge into this new world of media marketing, now’s the time.

© Informatix – visit www.informatix.com.au for more Tips, Trends & Insights For Business.

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