What is social media?

Social media is a collection of interactive forms of media that allow users to engage with one another. It enables people to engage with brands, people that they do not know (but have similar interests) or keep in touch with friends. With many different social platforms for people to use there are many means to share content.

Types of social media

Facebook - Facebook is a popular free social networking website that allows organisations to create profiles, upload photos and video, send messages and market your brand whilst interacting with your customers. The site includes public features such as:

• Marketing – allows organisations to post classified ads.
• Groups – allows organisations to create a group whereby members with common interests can interact.
• Events – allows organisations to publicize an event, invite guests and track who plans to attend.
• Pages – allows members to create and promote a public page built around a specific topic.

Twitter – Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent messages. These messages are posted to your profile, sent to your followers, and are searchable on Twitter search. (Reference: http://twitter.com) Therefore why not promote your organisation through quick easy tweets. Twitter also allows you to respond to your customers who are tweeting aout you allowing you to build relationships with your customers and provide outstanding customer service.

Other Types of social media – Also allow for networking, though they’re typically more focused on content sharing

How to implement Social Media into your business

Social media takes a significant amount of time. It is important to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and that building your social media comes in stages:

Stage One: Get Set Up – Start first with the three most common social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Make sure each profile is complete with a bio and a picture that will attract attention and give information about your business. Start adding posts and status updates on each platform to get familiar with how things work.

Stage Two: Start Adding Friends. Each platform has a tool that will help you find people you know. Use it! Before you begin this step, you should have claimed your business URL on Facebook, created 5-10 status updates including photographs and fun facts about your business on both Facebook and Twitter. On LinkedIn, complete your company profile and add business connections to your personal profile.

Stage Three: Strategy and a Plan. LinkedIn is easy from this point forward. You have a complete profile and have connected with people you know. From now on, you’ll just add new contacts as you meet them and keep your company page up to date. Ever wondered what to do with those stack of business cards you get at networking events? Add them on LinkedIn!

Twitter is a different animal, and you will need to dedicate time to building, finding content, and engaging on Twitter. In the beginning, we recommend spending 30-60 minutes a day building your audience, checking in about twice throughout the day at a minimum, and talking to people.

Facebook is a little easier. We recommend posting to your Facebook Page three times a week for several months. After that, you can increase it to 5 times a week, but typically never more than once per day.

Alternatively you could hire someone outside of your company to help with social media

Kitch Media is here to help you re-engineer your online appeal and ensure that your customers are heard at every step of their journey with you. There are no rules or buying off the shelf ideas, each project is bespoke, with your brand, vision and strategy in mind, in a way you’ll understand and be able to deliver in-house or with support. Specialists in social media, trade PR and online engagement for small to medium hospitality businesses.

Email: natalie@kitchmedia.com
Twitter: @kitchmedia
Facebook: www.facebook.co.uk/kitchmedia