Social Media – is it just Facebook and Twitter?

Social media has become so much more than the latest marketing trend. It has become the way that brands and businesses connect with their customers and the way that these customers attract new customers. But what does Social Media actually mean, and how can you use it to your best advantage?

Social Media come from?

It used to be that when brands created an online presence, they created communication that promoted their business. You went, or were driven to a website, and then you bought whatever was there – or not. There was nothing ‘social’ about this communication. There might be a carefully hidden telephone number. But businesses didn’t want to be committed to answering phone calls, so they didn’t want to hear from customers.

But then something happened.

Sites like Myspace, Bebo and Facebook were created and suddenly a whole generation had found an arena in which they could socialize with each other, regardless of geographical boundaries. But still businesses thought social media was a passing trend. Then YouTube was launched and with it came the ‘viral’ and suddenly small, insignificant brands were creating films that were being viewed by millions. Not just on YouTube, but also on TV as news stories – and at that point, social media became interesting for businesses. There was a new channel they could use to reach targeted groups and what’s more, you could audit and track the results!

Social Media as a business tool

Today, social media has come of age. It’s about connecting groups of people with brands, with ideas and beliefs. That’s not all; the social media channels also intermingle with each other, in turn connecting businesses with customers. You post a video on YouTube, but you promote it though Facebook and Twitter. YouTube itself has evolved so that today it is more than simply a film-sharing site, it has become, for some, their shop. Allowing people to buy products and clothes that they see in the films.

This is the crux of social media. It is about creating collectives. Not only is social media a series of conduits through which customers can share their experiences about your business, but it is also about fusing the marketing channels together. Each one performing a slightly different role within your marketing mix. 

Which social media channel is right for me?

At Flipside Digital we are digital natives. This means we not only fully understand social media, we live and breathe it. Its nuances, its strengths and its limitations. And, as with everything, there is always a preferred tool for the job. With a depth of knowledge that only comes with experience, we can advise you on the channel that’s right for you, be it:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Blogs
• Mobile

What is important is defining your objectives, so if you want 500,000 people coming to your site through Twitter (we did this for Bomber Command) or you are looking to for a channel to promote special offers, (we've done this for La Joie de Vivre) we can tell you how to achieve your objectives.

To find out how we can make social media work for you, give us a call, and see for yourself just how social we are.