Social Media Marketing - "As with any marketing effort, it’s not about what YOU want to say, it’s about what YOUR CUSTOMERS want to hear."

Since the topic of the week is regarding whether or not Social Media is an appropriate marketing channel for large established business. I thought I would add my perspective as well as include a couple of interesting articles I found pointing out some things that should be considered as well as how it has been a successful strategy. I think that before businesses look into Social Media marketing strategies, they need to determine whether the bottom line can handle the overhead and time consumption it will take to maintain a presence in that a channel of marketing. What are businesses really trying to tell us? A better question, are we missing the message?

Many businesses who are using television  commercials, radio spots, as well as print ads, end with the tag line "follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter". To reiterate the questions above, usually I am trying to determine why must I follow them socially, the marketing message has been conveyed in the other channels, how will following them change my views of the company as a customer. I pick and chose those businesses I want to follow for simple reasons, mainly because I have am really familiar or word of mouth. As a customer, I am looking for the benefits of doing so, to date, I have not seen really seen the benefits of doing so. The option to follow a businesses in this new social arena has not enticed me to run out to support that it any more than I would have by seeing it in other media. Of course this is just my thinking, but I am sure others share my thought process.

Although I take that position, some companies have cornered this medium and has shown that it is truly an asset to their marketing strategies. Others are simply riding the wave forgetting the message and how social media will enhance their businesses.

So back to the original opening should established large businesses participate in social media channel marketing, sure if you considered all that is involved for a successful marketing strategy.

Pepsi Refresh Projects Racks Up More Votes than last Presidential Election - Successful Social Medial Marketing - Mashable

Sometimes, Social Media Is Right for Your Business - Harford Business.com