Social media is a fantastic marketing tool… when used correctly. We’ve seen results in better connection with customers, increased SEO, increased traffic to website, new clients and increased sales. There are many things you can do using social media. Unfortunately, one of these things is FAIL. HARD. Yes, tweeters can go bad, too.
First and most important piece of advice for the day: If you don’t know how to use a certain type of social media, don’t learn on your business account!
We’ve all heard about the Anthony Weiner scandal. (If you haven’t, click here for the full story.) Unfortunately, Anthony didn’t completely understand the concept of Twitter (or fidelity for that matter). This unfortunate mishap cost Rep. Weiner the election.
Scandals don’t have to be as big as this to cost you business, either. It could be as simple as accidentally tweeting to the world that you dislike the customer you just met with, when you thought you were having a private conversation with a friend. If you don’t understand the technology that you’re using, you have two choices. 1. Try it out on a personal page, not connected to your business page first or 2. Hire someone (who knows what they’re doing) to do it for you.
Second and also very important piece of advice for the day: Know how to connect with your audience.
If you think you can join Twitter and send one tweet a day trying to sell your product, you’re severely mistaken. In any type of marketing you never want to oversell your product/service. The reason social media works is because it’s a two way street. You can connect with your customers on a whole new level. Encourage interaction and then KEEP UP WITH IT. (Meaning: don’t post something that gets several comments just to never respond to any of those comments… Even if it’s just to say “thank you for commenting”.) Overselling will not only fail at connecting with your clients, it might even go as far as to cause a disconnect with your clients. Again, two options: 1. Try several things and see what works, but know this is going to take a lot of time and effort or 2. Hire someone (who knows what they’re doing) to do it for you.
Now, as you read the next section of this blog bear one more thing in mind: We highly encourage asking followers/fans for interaction. And you can’t always avoid bad feedback. However, don’t ask a question if you know it could open a HUGE can of worms.
For a Good Laugh:
Because this blog was more serious and not quite as funny as others have been in this series, and because we just happened to find a very funny scenario where a seemingly harmless Twitter Campaign went VERY wrong… Enjoy!
McDonald’s started a Twitter campaign where followers could use the hashtag #McDStories and share their experiences with McDonald’s. (Do you see where this is going?)
“How come the air within 2 blocks of a McDonald’s smells like french fries? You probably gain a pound just walking by. #McDStories”
“Got food poisoning two times there, yet I still love their frozen Wild Berry Smoothie. #McDStories”
“Hi, is this McDonalds? Great. Is your dress policy still homeless drifter casual? Excellent.” #McDstories”
“If something doesn’t rot, it’s not food. #McDStories”
“Found an old Happy Meal in my car once, a year after I had bought it for my kid-looked brand new. Imagine THAT in your body. Yuk #McDStories”
Alright… If you want more, just search #McDStories. (We left out the really disgusting ones.) Do we feel a little bad for McDonalds? A tad. Should they maybe have seen this coming? Probably.