As mentioned previously, PPR has been working hard to convince our organization heads at Louisiana Delta Service Corps (LDSC) to invest more time and energy into their social media pages and overall internet presence. Currently the LDSC Twitter page is nearly defunct. Its Facebook is in better shape but could benefit from a little more TLC.
LDSC executives are not completely comfortable with giving us full access and control over the pages, which is understandable but makes it very difficult for us to sustain an effective, cohesive campaign. I would assume PPR will be given more autonomy in this area as our relationship with LDSC continues, but I’m not sure the directors understand the advantages or opportunities their organization could be missing out on without using these sites to their full capacities.
Our target audience in the campaign we are running are mainly young adults– a group which tends to communicate predominately through technology and social networks. Besides this face becoming common knowledge, PPR’s research further confirmed that the best way to reach the audience is via digital media. This implies the importance of having well-functioning sites.
Social media networks should not be underestimated. If used properly, these sites can reach a large number of people quickly and easily; they are also an effective way of monitoring consumers thoughts and behaviors towards the business. They are also a free means to releasing important information and/ or directing people to more detailed info. Social networks also have the ability to bring an organization’s image and missions full circle; they can easily be structured to create a cohesiveness between the different plans, departments and functions of the organization. For example, a company’s website could offer information about a competition it is holding. The website could direct people to its Facebook page to participate. The organization’s Twitter page could then create an interesting “trending topic” that allows participants to comment on the competition and suggest their followers to join in on the fun.
Many organizations do not know how to work social networks, while others simply do not think it is important. Granted, some businesses will not necessarily need the site to survive, but nine times out of 10, they could benefit greatly from them. And although many networks start and fizzle off as most trendy fads do, my guess is that the concept of social networking, in general, is here to stay; so we all may as well join in.
Here are a few articles that may further convince you or your clients to use social media.
- 10 Little Known Social Media Tools You Should Be Using– NOW
- Using Pinterest yet? 13 Tips for Gaining Business Exposure for your Clients
- What PR Pros Need to Know about Facebook Timeline for Brands
This image was found at: http://blog.kyanmedia.com/archives/2008/10/15/get_on_the_social_media/
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