Social Media Changes for Business - It's More Than Facebook and Twitter

At the Consumer Electronics Show, major players in electronics like Steve Jobs or Bill Gates commonly head up things as the keynote speakers. These men have a huge part in socialization and technology so no one would be a better choice, until this year. Ford Motor Company has been in the spotlight for increasing profits without maintaining heavy debt. How did the company break free of debt when the rest of the auto industry was begging for money on Wall Street? Ford chose social media and technology to serve the customer cars they want to drive with toys they love to use.

Integrating Social Media and Business is About More Than Fans and Tweets

What Ford did that no other company did was increase digital marketing. Increasing digital spending by 15%, Ford pushed ahead of all competition. The closest competitor in the automobile sector of the business population spends less than 10% of their total marketing budgets on the same things consumers spend the majority of their time enjoying. But, just because Ford can do it doesn't mean your business can - right?

How to Be the Next Business to Push the Limits of Media and Social Networking

Sure, Facebook and Twitter are a start, but it is not the end. Businesses need to integrate voice and video into websites, provide mobile websites and mobile applications to customers, and actively participate on the social networks people have grown to love. Ellen DeGeneres, for instance, has a personal assistant that updates social media networks for her - there is power in socialization.

The Most Common Mistake in Social Media Business

Ellen DeGeneres brings up a fantastic point about social media and business. Just because you have the "Follow us on Twitter" badge on your business website does not mean fans will stick around. Businesses need to be social yet professional. The idea behind "social" media is communication and personalization. Consumers want businesses that tailor to their needs and provide coupons, extras and freebies in return for their undying dedication. Again, this is about more than just saying "hi" once in a while or updating your fan page with a coupon for $5 off the next purchase.

Businesses need to listen to consumers and answer their questions. If the consumer wants to see changes in a business, acknowledge their needs and put a plan in place to change the business in some way to reflect what consumer's desire. These changes are the base of Socialnomics - the new and exciting branch on the economic chain. Consumers talk and businesses need to listen if they are going to make it in a socially driven, media rich marketplace where consumers have mobile devices connected to money saving blogs and the ability to price match with the flick of a finger. Is your business feeling "Fordy" today?

"Ford Spending 25% of Marketing on Digital and Social Media."Bloomberg Business week. 16 Oct. 2009. Web. 18 Aug. 2010.