Social Media 101: Content and Conversation · In an ideal world, this part would come first. Engage with your audiences where they’re already gathering, where they’re talking

Social Media 101: Content and ConversationSeptember 2009

© WideFoc.us Corp. 2009

IntroductionBuilding an audience requires an alchemy of good content and great word-of-mouth.

In this presentation, you’ll get some insight into:•Why content and conversation are important•Some major tools in social media (today)•A quick look at blogging contact WideFoc.us for info!•Ways to track and engage in external conversations


What is Social Media?Social media is everywhere:• Social networks like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter• Conversational media like blogs and forums• Online review sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor• Media sharing sites like YouTube and Flickr

People are creating and sharing content.And they’re having conversations.


Define Your AudienceBefore you start any social media outreach:•Who is talking about you now, and where?•Who are your target audiences?•Where are they gathering?•Who are the influencers?


Your content must be:•Relevant

•Interesting

•Sharable

•Flexible

•Easily propagated

Your conversations must be:•Authentic

•Engaging

•Personal

Content and Conversation


Use Twitter to build a following by becoming an avid follower and conversationalist yourself.

The Basics•Proclamations, @replies, DMs, RTs•Your first tweets•Finding people to follow •What to tweet•Be authentic - say who you are, have a personality

Helpful hints•Don't be offended if someone doesn't follow you back•Shorten any URLs you use•Find yourself a good Twitter client•No auto-DMs•Create a calendar of roles/content•Don't be afraid

Twitter


If you don’t already have a personal Facebook profile, you should.

Create a separate fan page for your organization.

The Basics•Fan pages vs. personal profiles vs. groups•The news feed is your best friend•Adding content to your fan page•Status updates

Helpful hints•Timing - update during prime times•Sharing - make it easy •Building a fan base - employees, on your print collateral, on your website

Facebook


Everyone should have a LinkedIn profile. The Basics•Build out profile

•Connections•Recommendations

•Groups•Answers

Helpful hints•Key words - your profile, your company

page

•Best answer = caché

LinkedIn


In an ideal world, this part would come first.

Engage with your audiences where they’re already gathering, where they’re talking about you, or discussing relevant subjects.

•Conversation begets readers•Readers beget conversation•How-to:

•Search tools - Google Alerts, Twitter, Filtrbox, Technorati to start•Become part of the community•10:1 self-promotional ratio•Be authentic, not anonymous

Conversational Media


You need to know what’s being said. Search tools:•Google Alerts•Search.Twitter.com•Technorati•Filtrbox

Commenting on blogs and forums:•Be authentic•10:1 ratio

Tracking Conversations


Content. Conversation.

Quick Recap: What’s important

Audience


Why WideFoc.us?WideFoc.us specializes in leveraging the social web and conversational media for its clients. Whether it’s conducting online reputation analysis, creating and executing strategic plans, or harnessing online strategies and tactics, the WideFoc.us team has the experience and skills to drive growth for your brand.

The world of media and marketing is evolving minute by minute. WideFoc.us constantly sharpens its arsenal of knowledge and tactics for effective strategic communications.

We’re ready to help you meet your goals.


What is WideFoc.us?Agencies and companies hire WideFoc.us (http://widefoc.us) for assistance in ePR and social media strategies and execution, project management, marketing communications, and more. • We specialize in using ePR and social media tactics for reputation management, to track sentiment, and to create a constellation of reinforced messaging and brand experiences that direct qualified consumers into distinctive conversion funnels. • We develop unique, innovative marketing and strategic communication programs across multiple platforms (blogs, forums, social networks, print, email, SMS, viral, POS, etc.) delivering focused messages to targeted segments.• We conduct social media basics and best practices, from creating and managing corporate blogs, to utilizing Facebook and Twitter, to maximizing other social networks, like LinkedIn.• We create Ning networks and corporate blogs for companies, which are tools to engage customers or volunteers or even just passion groups in their messages, services, or products.• We leverage presence on social networks like Twitter, Facebook, Wikipedia, etc. • We provide comprehensive training and coaching in social media best practices.


CEO Eric Elkins (CEO, marketing and social media strategy) brings more than a decade of writing, marketing, ePR, social media, and educational expertise to his clients. Eric spent six years as youth content editor at the Denver Newspaper Agency. He served as co-founder and publisher of Bias Media, a multiplatform media engine, creating a model for reaching the elusive 21-34 market that combined a print magazine, a website, events, and mobile and email marketing to build an integrated online/real world community. He also spent time as New Media Practices Manager at Metzger Associates, a PR and venture strategies firm, and as VP of Marketing at Mocapay, a mobile commerce company. Eric founded WideFoc.us in 2007.

Megan Brehman (research associate, operations) joined Widefoc.us after three years developing her skills as a marketing strategist. A graduate of the Miami Ad School’s Account Planning Bootcamp, Megan worked as an Associate Strategist at Egg Strategy, where she conducted qualitative research for Frito-Lay, Quaker, and Wrigley. Previously, Megan worked at PortiCo Research in Chicago, where she conducted ethnographies and other qualitative interactions on behalf of clients such as Safeway, Glade, and Heineken. Her marketing experience also includes stints as an account manager at MAGA Design, and a media coordinator at Lyons and Sucher Advertising.

Dina Chaiffetz (research, marketing strategy, copywriting) graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BBA in Finance and Risk Management. After graduating, she joined local advertising and consulting firm AdHouse Creative, as Creative Coordinator. In this role, Dina developed creative concepts and copy for ad campaigns serving a range of non-profit and cultural clients. She also has experience in research, news writing and media relations as the Junior PR Xpert at Denver agency, Xstatic Public Relations.

The WideFoc.us Team


Eric [email protected]@datingdad


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Social Media 101: Content and Conversation · In an ideal world, this part would come first. Engage with your audiences where they’re already gathering, where they’re talking