Read any publication - online or off - and you're sure to find at least one article on social media. 'Experts' abound, and advice flows from every direction. However, many business owners are still struggling with the 'why' of social media as it relates to their firms. Join Adrienne Cregar Jandler for a look at Social Media and what you, as business owners, need to know as you determine how you will use social media.

1. Hot or Hype?What Business Owners Need to Know About Social Media Presented by Adrienne CregarJandler President, Atlantic Webworks

2. What we’ll talk about… Should we use social media? Is there business value? Rethinking the definition Two critical first steps: The Social Media Plan & The Social Media Policy Do It Yourself or Outsource it? Choosing an implementation plan that works for YOUR business

3. Why should I use social media? Should we use social media? Can I measure my results, to determine if our efforts are worthwhile? Will we be able to control what is said about us? Do we have something to say? Or content to share? Is it all just a bunch of hype? Does it offer value for MY type of company? Let’s look at this from the perspective of impact on our stakeholders.

5. strategic partners (who refer people to you)

6. your competitors

7. your employees and prospective employees

8. your vendors and suppliers

9. your professional associations (Builders Association, Chamber, etc.)

10. the media (newspapers, TV, radio, etc.)How do you currently reach these people? What does it cost you in time? Advertising? Sponsorships? How do you stay in touch with them, and how often?

13. The % of companies using LinkedIn as a primary tool to find employees? 80% *Generation Y is the generation of people born in the 1980s and 1990s, in the age range of 19 – 29 (i.e. first time home buyers) Generation Z is the generation of people born in the mid-1990’s to late 2000’s Source: Expeditusmedia

15. Television – 13 Years

16. The Internet – 4 years

17. iPods – 3 yearsFacebook added 100 million users in less than 9 months.

18. Think beyond ‘what are you doing right now?’…Examples of Social Media uses for business… Competitive Research Recruiting Customer Feedback Grow Client Relationships Consumer Research Crowdsourcing Virtual Advisory Board Feedback mechanism to adjust strategies Prospecting Project Collaboration Cost Savings/Meetings, Travel Filesharing Increase your Reach and Exposure online Positioning yourself as an Expert/Industry Leader Word-of-mouth customer referrals Build Brand Loyalty

19. How does social media fit in with your other marketing efforts?

20. Why should I use social media? Let’s think of social media from the perspective of what it has to offer… Social Media offers you an exponential opportunity to impact two key components of your ability to win new business: Exposure & Credibility What is the value of being represented where your prospective clients gather? Social media offers you the opportunity to be represented in multiple places at the same time Let’s first take a look at exposure…

22. They can research without sales pitches or obligation

27. Simply being there – showing that you are ‘in touch’ with your customers and other stakeholders who are online Social media gives you a platform to speak directly with your stakeholders. What do you have to offer them?

28. What channels should I use? Unlike traditional advertising, Social Media centers around Relationships This is an important distinction! Think of social media as Conversation powered by technology.

29. What channels should I use? You’ll want to select your channels based on how much time you can realistically dedicate to participation. Better to be active in a few places, than inactive in many!

30. What channels should I use? Time commitment & Expected level of participation (frequency of posts) Flickr, YouTube, Slideshare, Articlesbase

31. What channels should I use? As business owners, you have two entities that can be represented in the social networks: yourself, and your company

32. What channels should I use? Your participation determines the value you get from networking Think about the professional forums where you network… What are the characteristics of the most popular professionals you meet?

33. What it is (and what it is not): So…are you ready now?

34. Two critical first steps: The Social Media Policy & The Social Media Plan Social Media Policy Details how employees should (or should not) use social media During company time Also discusses use of social media outside of company time as it relates To impact on the firm Social Media Plan Delineation of how you will use social media – your road Map.

36. Who will participate

37. How & how often

38. How you will measure it

41. Conversions don’t always happen immediately

42. Previous experience affects future likelihood

44. (FREE) Online Social Media Policy Generator: http://socialmedia.policytool.net/

45. Do It Yourself or Outsource it? Choosing an implementation plan that works for YOUR business Training Coaching Execution How much time and money do you want to spend?

46. Questions?

47. Social Media Changes Everything. Are you ready? 27 Building Business with Social Media - - - ©2008, Atlantic Webworks. All rights reserved.