I am starting to plan ahead for 2009 and determine what are am even doing in the social media space. 2008 represented a “playground” year when I tried a bunch of stuff out and played in the social media sandbox. I am now on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo, and other social media sites. I have tried to follow great advice from C.C. Chapman, Chris Brogan, and Mitch Joel among hundreds of others. My iPod is full of podcasts, and my Google Reader is overflowing. So how do I get focused?
Aaron Strout in his article, “Keeping in a box” outlines the need to focus the social media strategy on business goal and then execute against it. Think about this simple question, “why am I doing this?” Aaron was with Mzunga’s marketing department at the time. So, his four goals were closely associated with his job: Lead Generation, Brand Awareness, Content Creation, and Education/Sales Support.
Here are a few examples from my life:
· The Abreon Group:
o Lead Generation - make connections with as many corporate IT people as possible and form relationships.
o Thought Leadership via Content Creation - show that I am an expert in helping IT organizations run as a business and provide a reason to believe that I know what I am doing to help others achieve their goals.
o Stay Top of Mind in Time – Stay in conversation with clients to stay within their “selection set.”
· My Local Church (Elberon UMC):
o Community Awareness –Create a connection with the local community so they know what is going on and why we are relevant to their lives.
o Donor Outreach – As an poor, urban church, we need the support from outside donors. We need support from people in the suburbs to make ends meet. We need to help them feel connected to the ministry and what their dollars are doing for the poor..
o Congregation Support – How do we keep the congregation connected together and informed with what is going on?
· United Methodist Communications:
o General Awareness – Conducting marketing efforts to help people understand the United Methodist Church.
o Educating Congregations – Providing information and education how to effectively communication.
o Create Global Awareness of Key Issues – The United Methodist Church is focused on global health (malaria, AIDS, etc.) and combating poverty. Outreach efforts will connect with both its members and the external media.
o Crisis Management – Be prepared to respond to any particular issues in the media.
Sounds like marketing 101 : options for implementing marketing have certainly expanded but not the need to get clear, act with clarity and make the best use of time to do so.
Posted by: Don Osborne | December 16, 2008 at 11:49 AM
As I see some of the local churches much less packed on Christmas Day than in my youth (it's already Christmas here in Australia) I wonder why their websites are so 1990, with no suggestion of interactivity, let alone social media. Your community is blessed in having access to your knowledge and skills.
Posted by: Des Walsh | December 24, 2008 at 08:45 PM
As I see some of the local churches much less packed on Christmas Day than in my youth (it's already Christmas here in Australia) I wonder why their websites are so 1990, with no suggestion of interactivity, let alone social media. Your community is blessed in having access to your knowledge and skills.
Posted by: Des Walsh | December 24, 2008 at 08:45 PM
As I see some of the local churches much less packed on Christmas Day than in my youth (it's already Christmas here in Australia) I wonder why their websites are so 1990, with no suggestion of interactivity, let alone social media. Your community is blessed in having access to your knowledge and skills.
Posted by: Des Walsh | December 24, 2008 at 08:45 PM