Does Social Media Have A Role In Business?

THIS is a question which is really hard to qualify. Over the last year I have used social media more and more. Whilst I do think it has enabled people to learn more about me and my business, Musical Minis, I'm not sure if I have had more business because of it.

My favourite tool is Twitter. I find it engaging and quick and easy to use. As you are limited to 140 characters each tweet is a mini challenge! I tweet in my name, Karen Sherr, as I talk about my personal life which obviously links to Musical Minis but is separate too. I enjoy responding to people I know and others who I've just met through tweets. On Twitter people are really supportive and I often find answers to questions I pose - whether this a request for a restaurant in Brussels or a hint for using Typepad. I have signed up for Nutshell a tool which updates me daily with new followers, quitters (people who stop following me - cheek!), any tweets for me or any mentioning Musical Minis. Nutshell also updates me on Linkedin and Facebook.

I have a Facebook page for Musical Minis. I had to set up my own account in my name to enable me to have the Musical Minis page, however, I don't use this. I'm not sure if people think I'm rude when they ask me to become their friend and I decline. I don't use my own page so it would be pointless to become their friends although I do post on my Musical Minis page and am delighted when anyone joins me there. I post information about Musical Minis as a whole and about specific events happening in local franchise areas. There are regular questions posted from individuals interested in finding out which class would be nearest to them and about franchise opportunities.

A number of my franchisees have their own local Facebook pages for their areas. Local information is posted and any class news updated. Their class members or prospective members are active in posting too.

Linkedin is another source of social media I am involved in. It's not a method of communicating with members or prospective members but more a way of interacting with other professionals. I have noticed some people on Linkedin seem only interested in building up vast number of connections. Maybe they find this useful but personally I can't see the point of this. I have joined various groups which are of interest to me and follow and comment on various discussions in these groups. I also regularly ask, look and answer questions posted on Linkedin. I'm even an 'expert' in the franchising section now. It's great that there is a social media site where people are supportive and able to offer business help to others.

I am also a keen blogger. My blog, learning made fun, (the Musical Minis strap line) is where I blog about my personal life as well as about Musical Minis. I don't blog as often as I would like to due to lack of time. Blogging does take longer to do than other forms of social media, however, it has enabled me to get to know, through their blogs not in person, other bloggers who are like minded professionals, Mums around the world or attendees from Musical Minis classes. I have written reviews, posted guest blogs on other blogs and linked all my blogs back to my Facebook page so the people who 'like' my page can read my blogs.

With all types of social media it works best when you are proactive. I read others blogs and comment on them, ask and answer questions on Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook. I do have a genuine interest in people, perhaps it's my psychology degree that has paved my personality. I'm not just interested in building up numbers of connections or followers but interested in the people I'm connected to or following.

Now back to the question I started with, does social media have a role in business? In my experience it does. I think people by reading my tweets, posts and blogs can build up a picture about who I am, what I promote and about my business ethics. Perhaps the honest portrayal of my life and business may put some people off, however I am truthful so I prefer people to know the real me and Musical Minis. I know we have had new members from Twitter and Facebook and have undertaken contract work in Children's Centres and Nurseries who have found out about Musical Minis through these sites. I have had enquiries through social media from prospective franchisees although to date none have signed up yet. What I'm uncertain about is if I would have had these enquiries anyway without these sites.

If you have a business and are considering social media I recommend you give it a go. Apart from time you have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

I would love to hear others views and would appreciate your comments.

Photo by Flickr  Matt Hamm

Comments

[Crystal Jigsaw]

I think social media is a good way to promote yourself. I use Twitter and Facebook but I also use a lot of different website, too, forums and networking sites.

CJ xx

[Not a Notting Hill Mum via British Mummy Bloggers]

I'm going on a course on this very subject on February 10th. It's run by Women unlimited. There's a similar one a month easier. It costs £45 and you book through Eventbrite and no I am not being sponsored by them or going free in return for mentioning their course ( in relation to another thread on here today! )

Not a Notting Hill Mum

[Karen Sherr]

That's a good idea Not a Ntting Hill Mum, to go on a course. Linda Jones at Passionate Media helped me get going with social media. It really can be a bit mind blowing to know what to do and the 'correct' way to approach it. I'm interested to know how you find the course.

Crystal Jigsaw are there any particular network sites or forums you'd recommend?

Thanks Karen

[Linda]

Hi Karen - thanks for the mention above! I'm so pleased to see that you are finding blogging worthwhile and while at the moment you can't say for sure about new business that has come your way solely through social media, it sounds very much like it's definitely playing a part.

My view is that maintaining and strengthening relationships through social media is very important and social media can be a brilliant tool in doing that. I think that you can only start to see more positive sides of social media - even from just a PR point of view, PR may not be a direct sales mechanism but it can underline everything else you are doing, and unlike the old days where you had to wait for some news editor to decide how much of a story they want to use about you, you are in direct control.

You can also use it to research and save time that way. Social networking like any other networking can build trust in businesses too, as your personality and ethics shine through. I am doing a lot of social media training now, and touch wood it's going great. The thing is as well that the only investment may be your time which brings great value for money. Certainly in my industry, there are direct business opportunities available through social media. If you get chance have a look at a video on YouTube called Social media revolution 2 - this explains some more about businesses embracing social media.

I'm so sorry I could go on and on about this. For me the basic thing is not to be blinded by technology but realise it's all about communicating and we should all think more about what we say to whom and when rather than the method we use.

Good luck with everything. I'm doing training to suit individuals and companies now and have teamed up with my Chamber of Commerce in the West Midlands to provide the training too so touch wood it's going okay. xx