Presentation slides from a recent 15 minute talk on introducing social media for business.

1. An Introduction to Social Media
Richard Blackburn
@circlesquare_uk
Introduction
The Conversation Prism
Why use Social Media?
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
All of the above?
Conclusion

2. The Conversation Prism
An Introduction to Social Media 2

3. Why use Social Media?
Businesses can use social media for networking and marketing,
for example;
• raising brand awareness
• promoting events
• sharing news
• developing relationships
• getting feedback from customers
It is about interaction - you might have to ‘give to get’ ...
An Introduction to Social Media 3

4. Facebook - www.facebook.com
• Users can create profiles with photos, personal interests, contact
information, and other personal information. Users can communicate
with friends and other users through messages and a chat feature.
• Business pages allow you to create a section for your business,
allowing you to share news, promote your goods and services, sharing
events and news, conduct opinion polls.
• Facebook can augment customer service – it gives your supporters
and critics a forum which means you can study and interact with them
– you can get fast feedback from your customers and develop your
service. Plus potential customers can read about your great customer
service.
An Introduction to Social Media 4

5. Facebook - www.facebook.com
• The ‘Like’ Button
When someone on facebook joins your group, becomes a fan, or simply ‘likes’ your
page, their facebook friends are notified. Friends often have interests in common, so
each person who engages with you through facebook could be leading you to lots of
new customers and raising your profile.
An Introduction to Social Media 5

6. Twitter - www.twitter.com
• On Twitter, anyone can read, write and share
messages of up to 140 characters. (Sometimes
called ‘micro-blogging’)
• These messages, called Tweets, are public and
available to anyone interested in them.
• Other Twitter users can choose to ‘follow’ you –
they are then subscribed to your Tweets.
• Followers receive every one of your Tweets in
their timeline, which is a feed of all the accounts
they have subscribed to.
An Introduction to Social Media 6

7. Twitter - www.twitter.com
• @ - Mention
Presenting a short briefing this evening at @ChequerMead on ‘An Introduction to Social
Media’ for EGBA
• RT - Retweet
RT @ColesEA NEW INSTRUCTION! A superbly presented two bedroom cottage in Turners
Hill - £345,000 http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/W29301
• DM - Direct Message
d @hallmarktravel Can you help with Eurostar tickets or do you only do flights?
• # - Hashtag (join a conversation, but do it properly!)
Millions are in uproar in #Cairo. Rumor is they heard our new spring collection is now
available online at www.kennethcole.com
• http://support.twitter.com/entries/166337-the-twitter-glossary
An Introduction to Social Media 7

8. LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com
• Over 100 million professionals use LinkedIn to exchange information,
ideas and opportunities
• It is the professional person’s answer to “Six Degrees of Separation.”
• Make connections and request recommendations
• Register a company profile
• Join groups (eg EGBA - just search for ‘east grinstead business association’ and click ‘join’)
• Answer and ask questions
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9. LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com
• Complete your profile.
• Get connecting... but consider who you connect to...?
• Join groups to interact and connect.
• Give testimonials to get them.
• Interact with others based on their status updates.
• Use status updates (as you would with twitter and facebook).
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10. All of the above?
• Use tools to help you manage all of your social media accounts.
• Use a URL shortener (eg. goo.gl, bit.ly, tinyurl.com).
• Use a smartphone to post comments, photos, etc..
• Research: IAB, Econsultancy, SEOmoz
An Introduction to Social Media 10

11. Thank you.
• Also consider:
- Email marketing
- SEO (search engine optimisation)
- Google Maps listing
- Adwords
- Targeted Facebook and LinkedIn ads
- Youtube Channel
- Blog
- Foursquare
- Flickr
• Make sure the solution you chose is right for you and right
for your customers, and have a plan!
An Introduction to Social Media 11