10 Social Media MythsAny Local GovernmentShould KnowBy: Chris Bjorklundwww.LincIntegrated.com

What do they have in common?http://www.flickr.com/photos/allybeag/201313147/

1. Social media is only for nerdsNot really... because... An est. 120 million blogs Millions blog each day ½ billion members Billions of instant msg 6 million on Facebook (aus)

An est. 120 million blogs

Millions blog each day

½ billion members

Billions of instant msg

6 million on Facebook (aus)

2. I need tools, tools & more tools.Not true...“Google it” | “Facebook me” Start identifying the goal. Not what tools to use. Allowing the conversations to happen easily

“Google it” | “Facebook me”

Start identifying the goal. Not what tools to use.

Allowing the conversations to happen easily

3. Social Media is only for the youngNope. Facebook Statistics: 58% are 20 – 40 yrs 22% are 40 – 64 yrs 10% are 50 – 64 yrs

58% are 20 – 40 yrs

22% are 40 – 64 yrs

10% are 50 – 64 yrs

4. Social media is a waste of timeBut hanging around the water cooler isn’t...? Research is not a waste of time Follow online discussions Listen to people Understand people Connect, Engage & Interact

Follow online discussions

Listen to people

Understand people

Connect, Engage & Interact

5. Social media is way too hard“Every journey starts with a single step” Start small. Test. Learn. No coding needed. Ask people for help. Little to no risk.

Start small. Test. Learn.

No coding needed.

Ask people for help.

Little to no risk.

6. It’s really super dooper easyWell, it’s almost that easy... Experience = Success. Dedicate a person. It’s ok to make a mistake. Make small wins. Daily. Build a strategy.

Experience = Success.

Dedicate a person.

It’s ok to make a mistake.

Make small wins. Daily.

Build a strategy.

7. I’m afraid that people will rantKeep calm. It will be ok. Step 1 – Ignore them Step 2 – Is there truth to it? 99% are good people People will stand up for you Show them you care Have a back up plan

Step 1 – Ignore them

Step 2 – Is there truth to it?

99% are good people

People will stand up for you

Show them you care

Have a back up plan

8. It all sounds a bit too risky to meIt can be but not if you... Define your objectives Listen and learn Create a strategy Execute properly Measure and optimiseRemember the Internet was built to allow people to communicate more freely…

Define your objectives

Listen and learn

Create a strategy

Execute properly

Measure and optimise

9. It’s too costly to hire an expertHave you looked within? Train someone in house Find employees’ passions Ask for help. People will come Watch out for “wanna-be’s” Hire on a “per need” basis Pay to set it up – you run it.

Train someone in house

Find employees’ passions

Ask for help. People will come

Watch out for “wanna-be’s”

Hire on a “per need” basis

Pay to set it up – you run it.

10. It’s replacing the old wayMagic word: ‘Complimentary’ It’s easier now than ever. People change. Have you? Cheaper and more effective. It’s fun. It really is.

It’s easier now than ever.

People change. Have you?

Cheaper and more effective.

It’s fun. It really is.

Social Media Case Study

Starbucks – Crashing SalesQuestions arose... What do people like? What do they think? Where we went wrong? What can we change? How to change?“If the baristas were able to have tattoos would you still come?”

What do people like?

What do they think?

Where we went wrong?

What can we change?

How to change?

Starbucks – Results3 million unique visitors60,000 ideas submitted100,000s of comments460,000 voted2,500 moderator comments

3 million unique visitors

60,000 ideas submitted

100,000s of comments

460,000 voted

2,500 moderator comments

ListenMeasureChange

Recognise & reward your communityCASUAL  CONNECTED COMMITTED CATALYSTMore numbersMore rewards

What’s in it for you? Free advertising You’re in control of your brand You decide your own path Stay connected Get more business Have fun Be an industry leader75,089,255 + views

Free advertising

You’re in control of your brand

You decide your own path

Stay connected

Get more business

Have fun

Be an industry leader