Social Media Will Change Your Business

Social media has truly put the power of a business’ survival in the hands of the consumer. Social media has become a trusted source of information sharing; it’s today’s word of mouth platform. Retail businesses used to have a motto that said, “If you make a customer happy they’ll tell two friends, if you make them angry, they’ll tell 20.” With the power of social media, the numbers just multiplied by hundreds.

There’s no denying that social media platforms are here to stay, and ever emerging. Most companies have either taken the social media plunge, or have a plan of action in the works.

Here’s a look at some larger companies that are using the power of social media, and how.

Companies That Use the Social Web Well

Oracle

Prior to running Oracle Open World, this company took a chance and created a unique home page that stayed on the site for two weeks. The page asked consumers for feedback, suggestions, and ideas.

A call for community involvement was an excellent decision for Oracle.

H&R Block

Adding value to the community. Instead of the usual, boring, sales page, H&R Block realized selling was not the way to approach social media. They created a fan page on FaceBook where they offer tax advice. They don’t ask or advertise their services at all on FaceBook; they only offer advice.

Obviously if you are a smaller company, you may have to provide some details about your services, and that is fine. H&R Block happens to be a household name, so they are putting their best social media foot forward by NOT trying to sell anything on FB.

Comcast

Customer Service (and sometimes Damage Control). Frank Eliason, who is the Director of Digital Care for Comcast Cable uses monitoring tools and Twitter to search for consumers talking about Comcast. He then tweets them and offers solutions or suggestions to their concerns.

Depending on whether your current corporate image is strong and powerful or a bit sketchy, social media can be used to keep up with customer service or for extra damage control. Even if your business is currently struggling, a strong social media presence and diligence to keep connecting with consumers can help pull you into success.

Skittles

Self branding through positive experiences. Skittles definitely has the right idea with their FaceBook fan page called ‘Mix the Rainbow’.

It’s fun, positive, and has caused the community to interact with one another. Skittles employees occasionally step in and interact with witty comments, never sales talk.

Here’s one of Skittles FaceBook fan page responses:

D says:  Is it just me, or does there seem to be too many orange ones in the bag now?

Skittles says: Derek despite what you or the Internet may think, we can assure you there is no orange skittles conspiracy – red on the other hand…

Starbucks

Looking for feedback. Starbucks goes with the old school way. They openly ask for consumer suggestions on how to improve the company. If you provide a suggestion, you’ll get a response and be able to discuss your ideas with a Starbucks CIO, right on the site. Pretty impressive.

Wal-Mart

Keep trying social media until you get it right. Yes, Wal-Mart has has experienced many failures when trying to connect with their community online. They had The Hub and Across America and an appearance on FaceBook. It wasn’t pretty. But a definite kudos to them for continuing to try when others may have given up.

Wal-Mart’s latest offering, a blog called Check Out, seems to be working out just right.

Regardless of how you choose to implement social media into your business, you need to take the dive. The traditional marketing firewall that used to separate customers and companies is falling away; it’s time to get onboard. Your future customers are waiting.