Social Media SGIA

Editor's Notes

1. We where many hats as business owners and managers. As the economy creates challenges, we where more. Marketing is one of them.
2. We are a small biz that does prepress for screen printers and custom graphics.We are developing virtual assistance of prepress for screen printers, and where SMM can play a part.The custom graphics area fits to show samples and legitimacy.
3. This is not a how to about LinkedIn or Facebook or Twitter.I am not going to teach you how to set up an account.Though this conversation will be surrounding what in the world SM is.
4. Start with my conclusion. Right or wrong.
5. So, when you start a “software” project, don’t you feel like this?Hours go by and you just get sucked in. And then where does it stop?Just like Apps on the iPhone
6. So, you want to get started. Google yourself. Google your company.See what comes up and how the cyber world sees you.After you enter the abyss of SM, then try again.
7. I started on this adventure to figure out what is SM media … says it all.
8. The technology behind these sites is robust.You are tapping into them with user friendly tools that make you appear professional and active.
9. Again, more stats on how people get their info.Newspaper? Or journalist that uses Twitter?
10. And here we go. The ever increasing mediums for social interaction via the web. Just so many, and each person makes a choice (of one or many)Same was true in the past/present. Classic TV or Cable. Newspapers. Magazines. Radio. There were still choices by brand marketers of where to be.
11. Humor or invaluable information. Video links are spread all thru cyber space.
12. Let’s get started. The SM gurus say, use the same name for each place.Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. Name recognition. If you are a digital printer, you may use your name or describe what makes you unique (Super Graphics)Coke may use “spread the red”.There is even a site that lets you know if that brand name is available.
13. You start getting going, and there is even a set that show you your buzz in the cyber world
14. Classic advertising is not two way. Try to get a hold of some one thru an add.What we are trying to understand is this social media is SOCIAL.
15. These promotions yell and try to get brand recognition thru volume
16. SM is a multiple person relationship, at minimum it is two. It’s a conversation
17. It is so convoluted to talk to a real person. By phone and now the email blitzes
18. So, the major marketers are trying to use SM create the buzz or converse.
19. Didn’t we always know that if you get clients talking about good things about you, success happens.SM makes it easier to recommend a vendor just by a link. Or a link to a site.
20. Here is a hodgepodge of sites. Ones to create the conversation. Ones to assist in imagery placement.
21. So, if I had to start, which I did, what would I do. I’d start with LinkedIn. I’d learn how to deal with video and pictures to upload to sites to place in my web site.I still want people to be attracted to my web site.Lastly, do I have a message that people would like to hear? My venture in the assistance for screen printers with prepress (mac) solutions, could fit. Tweets of advances in software?
22. A multi dimension approach to communicate with clients is key. How they connect to a sales pitch is very dependant on each individual.
23. Marketing and branding is a session on itself. The psychology of SM is vast.You need to know what your product is and how it affects the client.I would say that our print product is more direct communication.
24. Direct Communication: Occurs when a brand communicates its message directly to the audience. Communications Catalyst: Refers to a brand OR promo that encourages or provides the means of communication between two or more customers. Conduit to create customer to customer activity with in the site … a message board. The brand wins by customers just being there.Cooperative Communication: Is a type of participatory marketing, where the brand proactively participates with its audience. Coupons offered.Participatory Definition: The opening of a brand to influence, or re-design by its audience.Brand Embodiment: Happens when an individual, or group of individuals, develop such a strong affinity for the brand that they will recommend it without being prompted. (Of course this also means, that if prompted they’ll recommend the brand, and also means that it’s their brand of choice.) Apple.
25. Communications Catalyst: Refers to a brand OR promo that encourages or provides the means of communication between two or more customers. Conduit to create customer to customer activity with in the site … a message board. The brand wins by customers just being there.
26. A quick dance thru popular sites. This is my LinkedIn page.
27. You can be an individual and network as such or join groups that advance your agenda.Which may be sales or information.
28. Notice that SGIA has a group and is on the top
29. Groups have conversations that we used to call message boards that create threads. Now, conversations. No solicitation is the rule, but ways around it.Be creative on the topic that may swing it to one of your expertises. Or, again, information may be your real agenda.
30. Within the group are members, and you can access each member and request that they join your network.Careful, in that if too many say no to you, then you get cyber slapped. They do resist solicitation.
31. Now facebook is more personal. Instead of asking to join you network, you ask another to be a friend. They then can see your info and make comments on your wall. These comments usually can then be seen by all friends that are linked together.The upside is the technology behind the curtain is great to upload imagery and video.You can also create more of a business presence.
32. A Business page. Friends can become “fans” of this business. Once a fan, you can then broadcast info to your fans with one fall swoop. Again, imagery and video can be attached for a place to show your successes in printing.
33. You can also cyber stalk your teenager. But notice her status … Maddie Mandel would like to mention how fantastic her father is …. Long story.
34. Notice the name. and you can customize the background.The activity of twitter is to Tweet.
35. You can follow people that are tweeting and tweet yourself.All of these sites seem to have a means to message directly.
36. Use the technology to make it easier to do business
37. If you do decide to be on multiple platforms, there are Tools that will help you write once and place in many places.Create a face book status, and it creates a Twitter Tweet.
38. As I was going down the path of a novice social media-er, Alex was one that was great. Her background IS graphic arts, and I followed her tweeting and direction.This is how she set up her very organized brand marketing. She gets paid to help market, and she of course markets her brand.
39. Each person will utilize the technology differently. That is the beautyof it
40. Now the question is regarding the collision with old and new advertising.Mainstream exists. Generational scenarios exist.SO, NOW WE ASK AGAIN, WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA??
41. Print companies like to show final products to prove that they can do it.Print companies like to show equipment.That can be done utilizing technology.
42. Great way to post a video or slide show when a client ask “send me something” … send a link.Some clients communicate in email and others in SMJust like AOL of the past or Gmail that we have or a cell phone
43. One of many tools. Does take time. It is a software application that must be learned.Without a plan or focus, the return will be exactly what you get. The great part of Web based advertising is the viral activity may make the return exciting.