This document provides an overview of social media and strategies for businesses to utilize social media. It introduces social media and its benefits for businesses, including increasing customer base, generating leads, and driving sales. It then outlines a 7 step strategy for an effective social media presence, including having passion and goals, listening, producing content, setting up outposts on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, distributing content, and monitoring results. Key recommendations include focusing on quality content, engaging with customers, and regularly reviewing social media goals and strategies.

1. Welcome to the Monroe Chamber Web Smart Series Session: Social Media Overview

2. Introductions My Name is… Kelsi Guidry, founder of MyWants Inc. Please introduce yourself and the company you represent.

3. What is Social Media?

4. Social Media is… Social Media allows groups to generate user-created content that are published and shared freely in peer-to-peer conversations in social environments, such as social networks, blogs, wikis, or video hosting sites.

5. Social Media in Plain English YouTube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpIOClX1jPE

6. Social Media: What’s in it for your company? 3 Major Focuses

7. Social Media: What’s in it for your company? The production of content is essential to the life of your company 25% of search results for the World’s Top 20 largest brands are links to user-generated content 34% of bloggers post opinions about products & brands The #2 largest search engine in the world is YouTube

8. Social Media: What’s in it for your company? Social Networking is the fastest means of sharing The fastest growing segment on Facebook is 55-65 year-old females More than 30 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photos, etc.) are shared on Facebook each month

9. Social Media: What’s in it for your company? 3. Companies use social networking for marketing 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations Only 14% trust advertisements Only 18% of traditional TV campaigns generate a positive ROI Successful companies in social media listen first and sell second

10. 7 Steps To A Great Social Media Strategy Passion and Goals Listening Producing Content Setup Outposts Distribution Social Networking Monitor and Measure

11. Passion IS The Foundation! Determine your passion What gets you excited to talk about? What are you good at? Passion determines your content

12. Social Media Goals Don’t work backwards Identify major goals How can you use social media to improve a specific function?

13. More Goals…. Increase customer base Generate Leads Drive Sales Build Awareness Make money from content Improve internal communication

14. Listening There ARE conversations going on about your brand OR at least your industry Which tools should I use? Addictomatic Facebook Search What am I listening for? 5-8 keywords

15. PRODUCE CONTENT! Content is King

16. Content is Key! Select and know your topics Main Topic Content Categories 50 Post Titles What medium will you use? Setup your website and/or blog

17. Setup a Blog Wordpress Blog Website/blog is your home online A blog acts as your tool to express your expertise and opinion. Blogs allow comments for direct feedback The more quality content you blog, the higher expert ranking you can achieve.

18. Develop Content Create Pillar Content How to Own Definitions Blueprints Lists Argument Resource report Controversial

19. Commenting Just about everything can be commented on. Provides link back to your website Commenting is an extension of your content. It allows you to express your expertise for others to read

20. Media Publishing By adding pictures and videos you are adding content that many individuals have the potential of looking at. Educational/Tutorial videos can act as resource someone will watch over and over Picture and Video tagging will create a viral effect.

21. Content Distribution Update status across multiple platforms Upload video to multiple video websites Article submission websites RSS and Email Subscriptions

22. “ Social Media Outposts” 2-3 Outposts Major Social Outposts Facebook Fan Page for Business YouTube Twitter Other Outposts LinkedIn Flickr Forums Other Blogs

23. Really USE Social Networking Don’t Just Be On It, USE IT!

24. Complete Your Social Networking Profile Fill in Basic “About” information when creating a profile for yourself and business Fan Page for business Add a picture of YOU! Close up Adding likes and interests

25. Finding Potential Connection Search Offline friends and family Organizations you are in Interesting topics to you Offline Promotion “ We’re On Facebook” Business Cards Build Relationships

26. Building Relationships Sending Invites Include personal message with invite Provide Massive Value Communicate on regular basis Comment, Comment, Comment

27. Social Networking Conversations People typically post content to get feedback, give it! Ask questions Quotes and Jokes Content is Key!

28. Communicate in and outside work Quick questions and answers during work Groups for employees to receive group messaging. Creating Events

29. Consumer Collaboration Blog Ask questions and make comments to gain insights Forums In-house forums to discuss topics Reviews Listen to what people are saying

30. Social Media Strategies Sample Strategies based on your companies goals

31. Social Media Strategy Content is King Share and point out resources. Yours and others Decide where Which Social Networks Which Blogs to follow Create strong profile Dedicate Support Dedicate contributors Create schedule

32. Social Media Strategy Do Not assume You don’t know what people want and need Let people find you Post and tag photos Network commenting Status updates Blogs Forms Tweet TO people

33. Social Network Marketing Direct Network Ads on Facebook Video Ads on YouTube Facebook and mobile applications Create and manage own forum Create and manage own social network

34. Monitor and Measure Initiatives! Engagement Levels Own Activities Increasing Increase in customers Business goals being met? Good vs. bad comments Create a schedule StepRep & Addictomatic Compare data

35. Use Monitored Data Connect with those who talk about you, good or bad Policy in place how to respond Share learning from results with team

36. Review and Revise Determine When and How Often to Review Review Social Media Goals and Strategies Make Changes As Needed!

37. The End! Use Social Media to your advantage Keep in Touch! Kelsi Guidry

38. Thanks For Attending The Monroe Chamber Web Smart Series Session: Social Media Overview What would you like to see taught next?