harnessing the powerof social media ♥♥♥
mel kirksocial media consultant
“Social media are primarily Internet- and mobile-based tools for sharing and discussing information among human beings. The term most often refers to activities that integrate technology, telecommunications and social interaction, and the construction of words, pictures, videos and audio”
source: Wikipedia
personal homepage
personal content creation
ability to add friends
ability to share and interact
FEATURES:
+ =
4mations.tv
the reason i earn a wage...
http://flickr.com/photos/redvers/532076662/
Things are changingTraditional media now has to keep upThe relationship between the producer and the consumer is changingPeople want things on demand in a format they request
you can’t put your media out there
and expect people to...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21684319@N04/
flock
When communication is one way
your users do this
you need to...
http://flickr.com/photos/betta_design/2200198472/
RESEARCH - know your marketknow where they hang out / how they communicateknow your product inside out
find your advocates
Not only will your users have an existing relationship of trust with themThey’ll have a further reach and influence
(tools!)
Give them the tools to let them do word of mouth for youThis might be assets, support, briefs, insider information, stuff for competitions
own blog
PREPARE TO GIVE UP POWER TO THE MASSESDECISIONS WILL BE JOINTLY MADEBE PREPARED FOR NEGATIVE COMMENTS - ADDRESS OPENLY
Don’t go creating new community hubs if they already existContribute to the existing ones instead BECOME PART OF THE CONVERSATIONEMBRACE EXISTING COMMUNITIES
don’t add features that aren’t wanted or needed
tumbleweed
A FORUM WITH NO ACTIVITY IS WORSE THAN NO FORUM AT ALL
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seeks2dream/2520279807/
Follow trailsWhat you go out there thinking your users want can often be different than how the site ends up - be prepared to make changes and to suit needse.g. multi-threading
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cleversimon/
Listen to user feedback Incorporate in future releasesACTUALLY LISTEN
personality and character are key
Twitter’s FailWhale is a prime exampleCopy is just as important as design
Ownership is keyLet users distribute content in the way they see fitYouTube - viral distribution - just be smart - video player watermarked etcCopy on the site - give them a sense of belonging
Flickr do this beautifully - their copy is engaging and gives a real sense of belonging
blog.4mations.tv
Twitter.com/4mations
Flickr.com/4mations
Facebook - Official 4mations Group
Youtube/user/4mationsTV
Animation forums
so in summary...
don’t
be sure to...
research
RESEARCH
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cleversimon/
adapt
ADAPT
embrace advocates
Embrace advocates
and in return, you’ll get community...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninakupenda81/
mel kirkslides will be available on: slideshare
randommel.com