Diary of a Social Media Curmudgeon: Online Effort = Real World Results

I’m coming round to this Social Media thing. Whilst I still dislike using it for purely personal and social reasons (isn’t face to face always better?), I can see its benefits from a business perspective.

In my capacity as SEO Copywriter I don’t come into a great deal of contact with Social Media at I-COM but, seeing as it’s “The future of the web” (you could probably trace this quote back, in one form or another, to any self-respecting SEO blog on the net) I decided the time had come for me to embrace this huge, uncompromising and multi-faceted beast.

So, I’ve started helping a friend of mine out with his online presence by writing blog posts, updating his Twitter account, sending Facebook updates to fans of his business and posting adverts on Myspace walls.

My friend’s business is based in Sheffield and focuses on publishing a magazine, hosting live music and poetry events and distribution (which is where the majority of the money comes from). Currently they have no website (though one is on the cards), so the only method of promotion online available to them is Social Media.

New to the game

Being new at the game, I started by logging onto Twitter and sitting staring at that blank white space thinking ‘Well, what am I supposed to write – what I’m having for my tea or something?’ However it soon became obvious that Twitter, once you start following a few people relevant to your business, is a fantastic vehicle for promotion.

If you can establish a loyal band of followers who are interested in your product, then you have a captive and welcoming audience for your advertisements – all you have to remember is, the Social Media experience is about give and take. If all you do is advertise your product people are going to get annoyed and bored with your content. Take the time to think up some genuinely interesting things to say or, alternatively, repeat what others have said and acknowledge the source – they’ll appreciate it.

The same is true of Facebook and, to a lesser extent Myspace. By establishing a band of followers who are already both aware and appreciative of your product, you have a happy audience at which to direct advertisement, and from whom you can solicit feedback in order to make your business better.

Real world results

And do you know what, it’s only having a positive effect! Whilst only time will tell how useful social media will prove to my friend’s business, the initial reports look good. Advertising space in his magazine has sold out in record time this month and a live event last Saturday attracted one of its largest ever crowds.

Whilst I used to (and still do on a purely social basis) agree with founder member of legendary band of futurists Kraftwerk, Ralf Hütter’s statement that "Everybody is becoming like a Stasi agent, constantly observing himself or his friends." I can see, and am experiencing, what a boon this method of online promotion could be for businesses – including yours.

Provided it’s used correctly that is.