This document provides an overview of social media and how businesses can engage with social media. It discusses how social media has evolved from emails in 1997 to today's major platforms of LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. The document also provides statistics on social media usage and advises businesses to identify their audiences, listen to conversations, engage in discussions, and promote their business while adding value through social media. The goal is to build relationships and strengthen connections through two-way interactions.

1. Social Media 101Oct 1, 2009SAHAR CONSULTINGwww.saharconsulting.com

2. Social Media 101SAHAR CONSULTING2

3. Little HistoryThe following conversation is taking place in an executives’ meeting:“We can’t allow the employees to do this.”“We will loose control of our brand.”“Employees will take time away from their work.”“Legal implications of the FDIC regulating communications - legal liability.”What are they talking about?SAHAR CONSULTING3

4. Is it ?Facebook?Blogging?Twitter?Linkedin?4SAHAR CONSULTING

5. ?5WRONGSAHAR CONSULTING

6. AnswerIt was a 1997 conversation about “Using Emails”Nowadays we are totally dependent on emailsEmails have made faxes and writing memos almost obsoleteSocial media is currently decreasing our dependency on emails.In 1997, emails were considered a fad, waste of time, only for college students – exactly the way social media is considered nowEmail is a social application – just like social media?6

7. Outbound vs. Inbound?7

8. What is Inbound Marketing8SAHAR CONSULTING

9. Rethinking Marketing9

10. What is Social MediaSocial Media is about 2-way conversations to facilitate continuing dialogue and communication with intended audience. It is about building relationships.Social Media includes: Search engines, social networks, blogs, Vblogs, micro-blogs, message boards, instant messaging (IM), webcasts, email and podcastsAllows community interaction using web 2.010SAHAR CONSULTING

11. Social NetworksSocial Networks are online meeting places that allows consumers and influencers to create, share, interact and build contentExamples: Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Amazon, Wikipedia, Flickr, Technorati, Digg, newsvineSocial Networking is like a live cocktail party with no constraint of time or place 11SAHAR CONSULTING

12. Statistics from Compete.com45% visit social networks to find out about product sales or discounts47% will go to social networks to download a free gift or coupons73% of active online users read a blog22% would read or write a product review online or in a blog45% have started their own blogs 39% subscribe to an RSS feed57% joined social networks12SAHAR CONSULTING

13. Why should you care?13Conversations Groups Communities Are taking place online right now

14. Not getting involved is like burying our head in the sand

15. Can cause irreparable damage to your brandsSAHAR CONSULTING

16. Social Media Landscape14It is very noisySAHAR CONSULTING

17. Social Media Landscape151. Communications:Blogs, micro-blogs, social networking, Google, YahooSAHAR CONSULTING

18. Social Media Landscape2. Collaboration:Social bookmarking and discussion forums sites16SAHAR CONSULTING

19. Social Media Landscape3. Multi-media sites:Multi-media sites share photos and videos17SAHAR CONSULTING

20. Social Media Landscape4. Entertainment/ Virtual sites:Virtual worlds, games, online gambling and the Harry Potter World18SAHAR CONSULTING

21. The 3 social networks most widely used19Linkedin Facebook TwitterSAHAR CONSULTING

22. LinkedinLinkedin is the only professional-based networkAlmost 49 millions members worldwide, 50% in the United StatesAverage income on Linkedin is $109,000/yearFortune 500 companies are on LinkedinDecision-makers and CEOs are on LinkedinConnections are 1ry, 2ry and 3ry Establish yourself in the Q&A forum/groupsLAAMA Group on LI20SAHAR CONSULTING

23. Linkedin21Maximize usage of Linkedin:Fill out profile completely and properlyUpload your pictureConnect with people Get 3 recommendationsUse the event applicationsUse the box.net applicationUpload samples of your workUse keywords for SEOUse updates feature Connect to your blogEstablish yourself in the Q&A forumShare in the groups section (you are allowed to join 50 groups at any one time)

24. Linkedin (LAAMA GRP)22

25. FacebookFacebook is the 5th most popular site among social networks110 million active users #1 photo-sharing site6 million active groupsThe highest ranking Fan pages are: Obama, Nutella, Dr. House and TwilightBusiness pages exist/ads23SAHAR CONSULTING

26. Twitter Micro-blogging site that allows up to 140 charactersProvides updates about “What are you doing now” in real-timeFlexibility lies in the capability to update status from the web, IM or cell phonesTraffic has increased 800% in one year4 million active usersUsed by news media during Iran electionsThe Obama Administration, WN, JetBlue use Twitter24SAHAR CONSULTING

27. Twitter 25SAHAR CONSULTING

28. Twitter 26SAHAR CONSULTING

29. Twitter 27SAHAR CONSULTING

30. Why Social Media Matters28SAHAR CONSULTING

31. Why Social Media Matters29SAHAR CONSULTING

32. Compete.com Statistics30

33. Expansion of Social Networks31SAHAR CONSULTING

34. Demographics of Social Networks32Jump of Users Ages 70+70-74 Years: 26% (‘05)- 45% (‘08)

35. 75+ Years: 17% (‘05)- 28% (‘08)How Can Business Be a Part of This?331. Identify:Your audience and key influencers

36. Protect against brand hijacking2. Listen:Use Google alerts, RSS feeds, Twitter, email analytics, social buzz, Backtype, Trenderr, Board ReaderSAHAR CONSULTING

37. How can business be a part of this343. Engage:Comment on blogs and articles