Modern Communications Plans Need to Incorporate Social Media

Calgary, BC - October 22, 2010 - Increasingly businesses are utilizing websites, blogs, and other forms of social media to engage their customers. As part of a larger business communications plan, social media can build a presence in the virtual world, but to be effective it has to be part of a larger strategy with concrete action items and routine analysis of its effectiveness. 

Begin by determining your business goals and audience and how social media can help. These questions assist in determining the right communications strategy and can identify what stories to share, how to share them and where to post. Below is a snapshot of an action plan that capitalizes on social media:

Social Media Strategy

• Use social media outlets to drive traffic to web site
• Raise public interest in products
• Create customer base for future sales
• Connect with customers through personal stories

Social Media Action Plan

• Create Twitter account and update with daily content on upcoming and new products
• Create Facebook page and tie in Twitter updates
• Create monthly contest (product give-away) to increase number of Facebook Fans
• Connect with like-minded blogs and Facebook pages with contests and discount codes
• Create weekly content on blog that automatically populates Facebook and Twitter

As you can see, social media marketing can be time consuming, but on the upside, it has the advantage of spreading your message through a network of fans. It also provides you instant feedback. A strong communications plan combined with skills learned in the business programs at Reeves College can provide a winning combination to capitalize on social media marketing.

For more information about Reeves' business programs, fill out the information request form to your right.