Walt Denny Inc. Blog

The Burning Question for Business Leaders: Who Should Lead Social Media Efforts?

It's a heavy question considering social media's growing implacations for business, its lead-generation capability and the titanic fact that Facebook had more traffic than Google in 2010 (Hitwise). Employing solid tactics is a must for energizing your web presence and accelerating your brand's digital effectiveness. 

Primarily, a company should turn to its marketing agency to take the social media lead. While this is the case for most, it is also critical for a business to have a number of people from the organization directly involved with the social media effort. To be clear, the social media campaign must be a partnership.

For example, much depends on your familiarity with and knowledge of social media. Like all marketing functions, a company's social media strategy should be goal-driven. Do you want more website traffic? More interaction with prospects? Do you want to bolster or expand relationships with existing customers? 

Be Seen with the New Facebook Layout

Recently Facebook rolled out a newly redesigned Fan Page, opening up new opportunities for optimizing the visual aspects of your brand. While it is important to share great content, having strong visual branding will keep visitors on your page and get your message across in an instant.

The redesign includes a new layout with more space devoted to your brand, housing Facebook ad content only in the right column and new navigation options on the left. This means your Facebook page can be more cohesive and visually give more attention to your company. In addition to the profile photo, a horizontal photo strip runs along the top of the page displaying your most recent photos or photos you'd like to feature. This layout now looks more similar to personal Facebook profiles. Take advantage of the photo space to really brand your fan page. Choose a powerful profile brand photo, as it is the first thing the visitor will see. Keep it large enough to make an impact, but keep in mind that the navigation box is now located under your profile photo, so try to keep it above the fold.

Sherwin Williams' fan page is a great example of a simple way to use the photo strip for visual branding and strong messaging.  To see a new Facebook Photo Strip done well visit http://on.fb.me/k2zpeG. 

Are You Using Polls and Surveys on Social Media?

"To see an example of a Facebook poll, click here."

One of the most important aspects of using social media in business is promoting conversation and interaction among your fans and followers. Effectively pique your audience's interest by posting surveys and polls through Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. This method is great for interaction, and can also be used to understand the likes of your fans and followers or to collect useful statistical information about your industry.

There are a multitude of free, online options to create online surveys and polls. Websites like PollDaddy and Survey Monkey provide a simple way to create polls which can range from a simple yes/no question, to multiple choices or multiple question surveys. Get instant gratification on social media by conducting simple one-question polls. Post links to the polls on Twitter and Linkedin or use Facebook Questions to reach all social media audiences.

Using polls and surveys on social media sites can encourage your followers to interact with your company while giving you an opportunity to get to know your fans better.

Increase Your Score, Increase Your Influence

Having a presence on Twitter and Facebook isn't worth anything if you can't influence your audience to take a desired action. However, in order to guide your company to an influential position online, it is imperative to understand what can be done to get there.

Influence is defined as the capacity to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior and opinions of others. In the world of business influence is what drives your audience to take a desired action. The basic concept works the same for online influence, but at a much faster rate. When loyal customers share their experiences online, it can build trust in your company and promote word-of-mouth marketing for your brand.

Online influence is more than just a number. See real results by adjusting the way you interact online to increase your influence.

2011 K/BIS Roundup from Walt Denny Inc., The Home Products Agency (TM)

2011’s Kitchen and Bath Show ended in late April, but not before many savvy manufacturers showcased the latest product innovations, trends and technologies.  K/BIS was buzzing with new product demonstrations and guest celebrity chefs. Shows like HGTV’s I Hate My Kitchen!  were videotaping at select booths.  You could even stop by and listen in on live radio shows from Mark and Theresa at MyFixItUpLife (pictured).  With a slightly higher attendance than last year’s show in Chicago, this year’s lively K/BIS highlighted efficiency, beauty, comfort and more.    

Efficiency

Earning a coveted Best of KBIS People’s Choice Award, startup company Penguin Toilets, introduced its Model 524 toilet with Overflow Protection.  The Model 524 is a Water Sense labeled as part of the EPA’s program to protect the future of our nation's water supply.

Why Companies "Like" Facebook as an Ad Platform

Over 500 million people worldwide visit Facebook each month to connect with friends and family, and share information about themselves through their social network. For many progressive businesses, the use of social networking has become standard practice for developing meaningful relationships with an active and attentive online audience. Facebook’s ad platform combines online advertising with the advantages of social media. This helps companies reach out to Facebook’s millions of users to engage their customers and find new prospects.

Facebook ads offer extensive customer targeting options to reach the social community of potential customers who are most likely to use your product or service.

Because Facebook is an essential part of many users’ lives, much of their time online is spent interacting on the social network. Through the ads, users are introduced to products and services while being encouraged to engage with businesses through the social network. Facebook ads help promote the company, while facilitating conversation between business and user. Unlike some traditional online advertising where audience interaction is limited, Facebook ads are built to be more interactive.