The Business within Social Media – The Dozen Do’s
Yesterday, I gave you a dozen things that you should not do from the perspective of business in social media. That really sucks! I like it when people give guidance! Ok, Ok, today is the Dozen Do’s of Social media. Please, if you haven’t read the Dozen Don’ts, please do that first.
Also, I know that many of these one line suggestions could use some more fleshing out, and I plan on providing that in my upcoming Social Media Manifesto for business. I will be giving that away for free in hopes that we will be able to further the industry, help break down myths and promote healthy industry interaction. Long past are the days where you never say hi to your neighbor and do everything on your own. The day has now come where collaboration, trust and integrity will win over the cut throat industries of the industrial age. Enjoy the Dozen Do’s of Social Media for Business:
1. Spend some time listening, and educating before engaging.
2. Set clear objectives, but at the same time stay flexible.
3. Build genuine community to engage with, not followers to shout at.
4. Measure your results, and set benchmarks.
5. Keep your eyes peeled to opportunity. Opportunity is everywhere for the organizations that can recognize it.
6. When someone tells you to open a twitter account because it will triple your sales, ask them ‘Why?’
7. Empower your employees and set clear guidelines that foster creativity.
7. If you are doing things internally that make you and your colleagues proud, share them.
8. Learn about where your customers, fans, haters and evangelists are. You go to them, don’t make them come to you.
9. Create buckets to put information in and have ways to deal with the information you collect.
10. Focus your efforts on people and relationships, not follower counts and shiny objects.
11. Learn that sales coming from social media channels are a direct result of trust, value creation and community.
12. Foster a culture of sharing and transparency. If your not ready to do that, go back to rule number one.
If you have any tips or insights, please share them here in the comments section. If you would like to be on a list to receive the FREE PDF of The Social Media Manifesto, please fill out the quick form below. I will not be selling or spamming these addresses.
Keith Burtis is a social media and digital marketing professional. If you or your company are looking to REV THE ENGINE on your digital efforts contact Keith today! Specialties include: Blog design/Integration, Custom Facebook Pages, Social, Digital and Interactive Content strategies.
Comments
I like your point “Focus your efforts on people and relationships, not follower counts and shiny objects.” It’s fun when people interact in these venues. In fact, it kind of defeats the purpose if everyone just sits back and watches… although, there is a place for doing that in the beginning (as you mentioned in point #1).
The only other thing I would add to your most excellent list would be the willingness to make mistakes – I suppose a subsection of point #12 would apply. The community, as a whole, is still pretty new and constantly being populated by people who are learning. I have found most everyone to be very helpful in getting started.
Great list Keith! Keep it up 
Looking forward,
Michael
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