The document presents an overview of social media, highlighting its role in transforming users from content consumers to producers while emphasizing its benefits for business marketing, such as increased exposure and traffic. It discusses popular social media platforms like blogs, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube, along with best practices for engaging audiences and building a brand. Additionally, it shares statistics on social media usage across different generations and offers advice on how businesses can effectively leverage social media in their marketing strategies.

1. The Basics of Social Media Presented by June Bisel, BBG&G Advertising

2. What exactly is Social Media? Social Media supports our need for social interaction using the internet It transforms people from content “consumers” to content “producers” It allows instant access to information: To consumers From consumers The internet changes everything!

3. Benefits of Social Media Marketing Generate exposure for your business Increase traffic to your web site A new way to build relationships It’s really not that different from offline social networking

4. What are the most popular social media networks we can use to promote our businesses? Blogs Twitter LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

5. Integrating Social Networks

6. Utilizing Social Media to Build Your Brand Have a cohesive look Colors Graphics Have a consistent message What is it that you do? What problem(s) can you solve? Have a consistent tone

7. The Do’s and Don’ts Do: Educate or Entertain Don’t: Hard sell 95% social … 5% sales Do: Show your personal side Don’t: Be rude, crude, or vulgar Do: Be careful what you write Don’t: Write when you have nothing to say Do: Be patient

8. Why would I follow someone on Twitter or subscribe to a blog? Keep up-to-date on: industry news … or news in general Your favorite celebrity or hobby New developments in your field Follow your customers or prospects Learn more about a person or company you are considering working with

9. Why blog or tweet? Keep your customers updated & educated Become a resource for information / an expert in your field Create a buzz Increase traffic to your site Increase sales or interest in your product or service

10. BLOGS

11. Twitter Great for the Media because it is accessible through your cell phone. Lack of branding

12. Twitter: Carry through your Branding

13. LinkedIn

14. Facebook (business group) • Page • Application • Group • Event

15. YouTube Television spots Product videos Funny stuff Educational videos

16. How do I get started? Look and listen Become a part of the conversation Make social media part of your marketing mix Use interns for research and ghost writing Keep it controlled - only marketing staff and high level management should have access, permissions, passwords, etc.

17. Before Jumping In Do the research Know your Target Market Be where they are Appeal to them

18. Recent Research on Retail Reveals 47% of retailers will be increasing their use of social media this holiday season 60% have recently added or improved their Facebook page 59% their Twitter pages 66% have added or enhanced blogs

19. Social Media Stats - changing daily Generation Z (ages 13-14) MySpace rather than Facebook Only 9% use Twitter None use LinkedIn Generation Y (age 15-29) 25% MySpace 65% Facebook 14% Twitter 9% LinkedIn Generation X and Baby Boomers (age 30-65) Mostly LinkedIn & Facebook 20% Twitter

20. How has social media changed how we do business? Ever try Googling your name?

21. You just never know…. It all started on Halloween morning 2008 in Houston, Texas, at a struggling local cafe: @ coffeegroundz I want to pre-order a bkfast wrap so i can zip thru to get back for gas man. c'est possible? Currently, o ver 7500 followers Orders taken via Direct Message

23. Other Cool Dot Coms Slideshare - share presentations Flick r - share pictures Buddymarks - share bookmarks Digg - discover and share content from anywhere on the web BusinessCardContacts - online directory targeting the Hudson Valley with free listings available, as well as multi-media packages

24. Presenter: June Bisel Partner / BBG&G Advertising, Inc. 33 Hill Road Middletown, NY 10941 LinkedIn: June Bisel Follow me on Twitter at BBGGadv Read my monthly “Insight” column in The Hudson Valley Business Journal Join me on Facebook at BusinessCardContacts And read my blog at www.BusinessCardContacts.com/blog