Social,Business,Forums,Marketi DIY Social Business Forums: Marketing in the New Millennium
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in When starting a new work at home business it is very easy to become consumed by it. We spend so much time trying to get the business up and running that we may end up becoming burned out and lose our motivation. There is so much to learn and
Allthis activity begs the question; what are companies getting for theirefforts? What's the payoff? Are these flashy new Facebook pagesdriving sales? Are regularly scheduled Tweets really deepeningrelationships with customers? Granted, there are many documentedmarketing successes attributable to Facebook and Twitter, the factremains these channels rely more on outdated push messagingrather than the more productive practice of collaborative,participation marketing.Whilethe aforementioned social media have their uses, the most beneficialinteractions occur when customers have more freedom to control anddirect the conversation. Customers are generally willing to commenton their experiences as consumers but they must be empowered to do soon their own terms, with their own voice. Companies who comply andlisten will outperform those that don't.Whenprovided the proper venue, customers will often share incrediblyvaluable insights, opinions, experiences, ideas, and even criticisms.Consequently, consumers should be encouraged to participate in theconversation and express themselves without reservation. Further, themost productive communication will occur when individuals caninteract with one another directly and build on the dialogue.Promoting genuine, two-way discourse is the key. Unfortunately,Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and the like don't support this type ofinteraction.SocialBusiness ForumsEnterthe social business forum. Having evolved from the ubiquitousmessage board, social business forums are proving to be tremendouslyeffective in opening and fostering high quality lines ofcommunication with customers. Forward thinking companies that committhe resources to hosting high functioning, customer-centric forumsoften acquire valuable business intelligence that might be toodifficult or costly to obtain by other means.Moreover,soliciting customer engagement through discussion forums can provideother valuable benefits to a company: Significant product improvementsuggestions are often realized; customer support services frequentlybecome more cost efficient as customers share solutions with eachother; the list of potential returns is limitless. Beyond that, thereis another great advantage not to be discounted. That of the goodwilland sense of community generated by a company earnestly partneringwith its customers in the collaborative, collective environmentfostered by discussion forums.Moreand more, consumers are embracing the reality that they are now incharge. The information age has spawned a new market democracy whereconsumers abhor being spoon fed trite advertising drivel. They wantreal information, the inside scoop, and they now have the resourcesto acquire that information. Loyalties and buying dollars willcontinue to funnel to those forward thinking vendors who engage withconsumers and provide the information, transparency and toolsconsumers need to improve their positions. Therein lies the key tomarketing in the new millennium; empowering the consumer.Whilemany of the vogue new social media channels offer businesses theopportunity to present themselves in ever more unique and personableways, it is the company that provides true customer-centric tools andresources that will reap the real advantage. Social business forumsare proving to be just such a tool.
Social,Business,Forums,Marketi