Mind on Marketing

Panelists’ Top Ten Tips

These are the tips that were handed out to attendees at the panel discussion a couple of days ago. I haven’t found them on the web site or blogs of participants, so I’m sharing them here:

1. Don’t assume that only kids and teenagers participate in social media. –The fastest growing demographic on Facebook is users aged 35+
–For users on YouTube, it’s age 50+

2. Listen intently. People are already talking about your company, your product or service.

3. Have something meaningful to say. Too much of what passes for originality is simply repurposed from another source.

4. Be authentic. The fastest way to ruin your reputation online is by disguising your identity. Avoid the sensationalism and just tell what you know.

5. Never try to suppress negative comments. Customers hold legitimate opinions–recognize that they have an issue. Online users respect participation — often more than agreement. Get engaged in the conversation and recognize the legitimacy of differing opinions.

6. Use information or entertainment to draw people in. Provide consumers with content that makes doing business with you easier or fun. Worry less about looking professional and be concerned more about being helpful.

7. Encourage user participation. Social media users love sharing — give them something to pass along or comment on.

8. Social media is most powerful when consumers are conversing with each other. Encourage you best cutomers to advocate for you. People do not like to be used, but they do like to be useful. Let them contribute; don’t just sell it to them.

9. Start with a personal profile on Linked In and/or Facebook. It’s an easy way to wad in and see what all of the buzz is about. You’ll be amazed at how many people you know are already participating.

10. If you are overwhelmed, get help! Everyone else does! There are many companies out there (including some of our panelists) that can help.

That wraps up the substance of the presentation. It was sponsored by the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC) on Wednesday, March 25, at CitySpace in Charlottesville.

(Full disclosure–I was Chair of the CBIC Communications Committee and on the Board of Directors 2007/2008)

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