What is social media?And why should you care?

Social media is an umbrella term that defines the various activities that integrate technology, social interaction, and the construction of words, pictures, videos and audio.

http://www.wikipedia.org

Social media is people having conversations online.”“

More simply put:

The conversations are powered by…

• Blogs• Micro Blogs• Online Chat• RSS• Widgets• Social Networks

(…just to name a few)

• Message Boards• Podcasts• Video Sharing Sites• Photo Sharing Sites• Virtual Worlds• Wikis

Why should I care?You may ask yourself:

”“

Social-networking sites are more popular than any other sites.

Reason # 1

Almost

4,000,000 articles

>100,000,000 videos

(with 65,000 new videos a day)

200,000,000 blogs

1.5 million residents

73%

of active online users have read a blog

Universal McCann Comparative Study on Social Media Trends April 2008

and 45% have started

their own blog

39% subscribe to an RSS feed

and 57%

have joined a social network

55% have uploaded photos

while 83% have watched video clips

In 2008, if you’re not on a social-networking site, you’re not on the Internet.”

“

IAB Platform Status Report: User Generated Content, Social Media, and Advertising - An Overview, April 2008

It’s not a fad. It’s a fundamental shift in the way we communicate.

The old communication model was a monologue.

Only 18% of TV ad campaigns

generate positive ROI

And 90% of people

who can skip TV ads, do

The average person is exposed to

3000 advertising messages a day

(And only 14% of people trust advertisements.)

78% of people trust the

recommendations of other consumers.

Reason # 2

”“

Neilson, “Trust in Advertising” Report, October 2007

14% vs. 78%

hmmm….

The new communication model is a dialogue.

Which means it’s…• transparent• inclusive• authentic• vibrant• consumer-driven

And it’s NOT…• controlled• organized• exclusive• product-driven• “on-message”

“Content is the new democracy and we the people, are ensuring that our voices are heard.” - Brian Solis, “The Social Media Manifesto”

People are talking about your brand. Right now.

Reason # 3

34% post opinions about products & brands on their blog

36% think more positively about companies that have blog

and 32% trust bloggers’ opinions on products & services

Social media is only going to become more pervasive and as such, become a critical factor in the success or failure of any business.

Reason # 4

“

”

Brian Solis, “The Social Media Manifesto,” August 21, 2007

Universal McCann Comparative Study on Social Media Trends, April 2008

Welcome to the future.

And speaking of the future…(a.k.a. Reason # 5) Tomorrow’s consumers are today’s “digital natives.”

By 2010, Millenials/Gen Y-ers will outnumber Baby Boomers.

They already wield $350 billion a year in direct spending power.

Millenials spend >16 hours a week online.

96% of them have joined a social

network where they have an average of 53* online friends.

*Acquaintances 51%; online friends 38%; close friends 11%

And they don’t care about your ad.They care about what their friends think.

Translation:

The train is leaving the station.With or without you.

How do you get on the train?

It’s about conversations, and the best communicators start as the best listeners.

“

”

Easy. Just get on!

Brian Solis, “The Social Media Manifesto”

A. Listen.Immerse yourself in the conversations.

These are all good places to start. Remember, messages are NOT conversations!

B. Participate.Social > media

(Hint: Share some stuff. It’s a DIALOGUE, not a monologue.)

C. Relinquish control. Repeat after me: The goal is not to control the conversation.

The goal is to:• enable• inspire• influence

and…

talktorunningman.com mystarbucksidea.com nikeplus.com

D. Engage!Create opportunities for people to feel ownership of the brand.

Make ‘em love you or hate you.Just don’t leave them indifferent.

And finally,A word of warning:

Any blog that spins the truth will be found out. In a world of social media, honesty is the only policy.

• Be open.

• Be honest.

• Be authentic.

• Have a dialogue.

http://www.slideshare.net/mzkagan/

Start the dialogue.

teamddm.com

Mike McCarthy 616 632 1310Jordan Buning 616 632 1321