Facebook alone is not an online business strategy
Facebook has been called, “The backyard barbeque of social networks,” because of its ability to connect friends, family, classmates and neighbors. However, contrary to popular belief, it is not yet* a significant channel for client networking or business development.
We are currently forecasting an increase in smaller, more highly focused Web-based networks that will enable people with similar interests to connect and further discuss pertinent issues of the day. Such sites can act as effective business social networks (BSNs) that might very well include your own, company-sponsored site that connects your customers, partners and influencers.
Companies to can leverage BSNs to:
- More effectively communicate news
- Leverage company assets such as white papers, case studies and research
- Promote upcoming events, training sessions, tradeshows, and roundtables
- Provide a channel for feedback from customers
- Foster networking among clients and partners
- Collect intelligence from customer or user communities
These are just a fraction of the benefits that BSNs are providing companies that wish to create cohesion amongst customers, partners and influencers, providing multiple channels of communication to those who are most likely to have an impact on their success. Building a BSN has the potential to further your company’s strategic goals. As the popularity of such networks continues to increase, the time could not be better for you to stop playing in the backyard and learn how to organize an effective BSN.
* Currently, Facebook is most practical in a B2C environment based on user demographics. However, as its user-base diversifies, this service has the potential to grow in popularity in a B2B setting.
For about 6 months, I’ve been exploring social media and its potential role as a marketing channel, business tool, etc. This includes Twitter, and more recently, Facebook. I started a twitter on a specific topic (www.twitter.com/remotedeposit) and began a “tip of the week” format. my hope was to create dialogue, interest, discussions, etc. While I have been successful in developing a follower base, the nature of Twitter makes it seem only a one-way conversation, I have yet to see dialogue develop. I’ve only more recently engaged with FB, mainly due to pressure from family, and I do think that all of the emphasis on “comments” may in fact make it a better tool for the type of engagement I am trying to develop. I do agree with the article’s suggestion that small, focused FB type networks will spring up, and perhaps facilitate dialogue.
Good point Trent. We at Lender Support Systems have found that we can improve our ability to communicate to our loan servicing software and compliance customers through social networks. The challenge is to keep it moving two ways. Business still has the challenge to monetize social networks in a way that generates new business. For now, we must participate and create profiles for ourselves, as well as, our businesses. As the new consumer evolves, the new consumer will demand self service that will facilitate dialogue.
Regards,
Cary Burch
CEO
Lender Support Systems, Inc.
http://www.lendersupport.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/caryburch
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/cary-burch/about-cary-burch/about-cary-burch
http://www.cary-burch.net