MNREM social media for renewable energy businesses

©2011 Minnesota Renewable Energy Marketplace. All Rights Reserved.

Social Media

Ann Treacy broadband.mnrem.com

http://www.broadband.mnrem.com/


The Intro• About me• Social Media Tools– Blogs– YouTube/Ustream– LinkedIn– Twitter– Facebook


Before you Begin• Why do you want to use social media?– How does it fit into existing business goals?– How can you measure success?

• What resources do you want to dedicate to social media efforts?– Internal staff? Consultant? Both?


Find Your Comfort Level

FacilitateSocial Networks Monitored

EngageBlog, LinkedIn Moderated

InformWebsite, Email Alerts, Video Controlled


Online Tools• Web site• Email / email newsletters/alerts• Blogs• YouTube/Ustream• LinkedIn• Twitter• Facebook


Blog• Great way to inform• Great for showing

personality/expertise• Great for search engine

optimization• Great for tying in other

media• Easy to update


Blog Tech Talk• Choose a platform (WordPress, Blogger)• Choose a host (Free, self-hosted)• Choose a template• Customize layout, functions, options• Post articles (ongoing)• Moderate/monitor comments


YouTube/Ustream

• Great way to inform• Great way to teach• Worth 1,000 words• Help new audience

find you• Easy to do

www.ustream.tv

http://www.ustream.tv/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LNihKhhbGQ

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/windpower-live


Video Tech Talk• Get a camera– www.theflip.com

• Shoot video/record show

• Upload/Archive• Label/tag/promote• Moderate comments

http://www.theflip.com/


LinkedIn• Your personal account

can be as powerful as your business presence

• Take time to flesh out your profile

• Look for groups to join or create

• Be the person people want to know


LinkedIn Tech Talk• Set up an account– Personal, company, group

• Choose your level of commitment– Wait to be contacted– Contact people one-on-one– Join conversations– Start/host conversations

Twitter


Twitter• Post updates • Follow others to get

their updates• Search for timely info• Follow topics of

interest• #hashtag = topic/tag• @AnnT = shout out


Twitter Tech Talk

Inform• Send specials• Send RT-worthy

messages• Set realistic

expectations• Use #

Engage• Find folks to follow• Listen and RT• Use @• Link to articles et al for

more details• Tweet during conferences


Facebook Personal Page Facebook Company Page


Facebook• Have a plan to keep the updates flowing• Take the time to listen• Be flexible & prepare to roll with it• Your following is built on the relationship of

your fans• Consider campaigns


Facebook Tech Talk• Get 25 ringer fans (secure

your name)• Tell people about your FB

page– Tell FB friends– Send out an email with a

link– Post a link on your web site– Mention it everywhere – Get e-fluencers to talk

about youwww.facebook.com/pages/create.php

http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php


Final Tips• Have a plan/calendar• Look into Admin tools• Make the most of

every story• Do what’s right for

you! www.hootsuite.com

http://www.hootsuite.com/


QUESTIONS?

If you have an interest in further training on social media in your area, please let us know.

Business

MNREM social media for renewable energy businesses