Social media is a great way to connect to partners, businesses, and potential customers for free. It also helps businesses with search engine optimization (SEO), website traffic generation, and relationship building through education. Social media provides a platform for people to get access to immediate, up-to-date information on websites like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn on relevant topics such as what is happening in the Voice over IP market.
So how should you engage?
Social media is not the place for self-promotion. Yes it’s okay to talk about your business and discuss product offerings, company updates and so on, but don’t let the communication center only on this. Social media is meant to be just that – social. It should be a two-way, somewhat personal conversation.
According to Paul Rand, Author of Highly Recommended: Harnessing the Power of Word of Mouth and Social Media to Build Your Brand and Your Business, you must be sure to take into the effect of the 90/10 rule. “The 90/10 Rule states that you spend 90% of your time engaging with people across your communication channels: informing them, entertaining them, educating them, sharing with them, asking for their input, and listening to them. You spend the remaining 10% of your time actively sharing your brand messages—or encouraging people into action of some kind.”
Another great source of information about new trends in marketing and social media can be found at Jay Baer’s website: www.jaybaer.com. He is one of the leading experts, and a best-selling author in the field. We highly recommend his book, “Youtility, Why Smart Marketing is About Help, Not Hype.”
Not sure what to say?
If you want to understand your audience, ask them for their opinion. Let your audience help you determine what content is most relevant to them. Social is a great space to ask people what they think – and to get feedback from a community that can build upon each other’s answers. It is an open forum for discussion and most sites have a variety of tools that help you to engage like surveys, comments sections and such. Take advantage of these tools and talk with your audience. The best way to get answers is to ask questions, so don’t be shy, and don’t overthink it. Social Media should be a fun, collective community to engage in.
So who should you connect with?
Most people use Social Media to stay connected with family and friends on a personal level, but it can be more than just that. Studies show that 70% of consumer loyalty and spending decisions are based on emotional factors, while 88% of communications decision makers use their peers as their
#1 source of recommendations, and 92% of all consumers report that a word-of-mouth ecommendation is the “leading reason they buy a product or service.” Social media platforms provide an emotional connection to a business, brand or product. Seeing a post by a friend, family member or colleague helps to create an even closer connection.
Also it’s important to follow your colleagues, your business partners, your customers and topics that interest you and help your business. Companies (like us) often post their most up-to-date product and company information as well as industry information. For example, blogs like these are a great way to keep up with what is happening in the VoIP Industry:
www.voipsecurityblog.com
www.voipreview.org/blog
So like us, follow us or subscribe, and let’s start chatting! We can help each other to stay at the forefront of all things VoIP.

