Like many new things, Social Media initially met with a lot of resistance because of misconceptions about what social marketing is and how it can be used by accounting firms. If you are serious about getting into the Social Network circle (or circus) as part of your company's marketing plan, it might be well worth your time to clarify some of these misconceptions before you begin.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS A FAD: Sociologists have recognized the paradigm shift in the way we communicate during these times where technology has taken center stage.
Rarely do we send snail mail. We are more preferential to e-mails for many reasons. They reach our audience faster, cost less and save on paper which in turn saves trees. If we can't reach our Accountant on their office phone, what do we do? We call them on their cell phones. We used to get our news by way of the morning paper with a cup of coffee; now, friends and strangers from the opposite side of the globe tweet about the death of Michael Jackson even before CNN can say - "This just in".
Imagine going back to the days when all these did not exist. When internet is "down", almost all businesses come to a screeching halt. Our lives and businesses have become so entwined with technology and with the communication shift that Social networking brought about we are left helpless without it.
Face it, Social media is far from a fad. It is here and here to stay.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS FREE: Sure, Social Networking tools are free, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, WordPress, Blogger, FriendFeed, Twitter and there are many more. All you need is to spend a few minutes registering and adding your account information and you can start your Social Marketing campaign!
While the account and initial set up are FREE and require very little time, you will have to continually engage your followers with updates and posts which will take time. Your time is valuable and certainly where your firm is concerned there must be a dollar value attached to it.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS EASY: Anyone can set up a blog, Twitter and Facebook account. Your children have a Facebook accounts, their friends are on Twitter even your dog has a social presence (created by your kids of course).
Set up is easy. But the bigger question is, how does an Accounting Firm Partner use these tools to their advantage? Social networking takes time and plenty of it. It takes commitment and also an understanding of basic marketing rules. You must also integrate your social media with your offline marketing strategy to ensure consistency.
While social networking is not a miracle cure all for your Accounting Firm's marketing needs it is an essential addition to your firms' repertoire of resources and tools. Like all else, you must sow the seeds before you will reap the benefits that Social Media can offer your firm.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS SIMPLY "FRIENDING" AND "LIKING": While building a large network is a goal that Social Networking can easily help you achieve, it isn't just about how big your following is. Social media is more about building meaningful connections and relationships.
In order for social marketing to work to your advantage, you have to engage your friends, clients and visitors gaining their trust and confidence in you by giving them something of value. You must be willing to provide them with tips and bits of content that they will find useful and informative.
By debunking some of the myths about Social Media, you the Accounting Firm Partner now have a better idea of how to proceed with using this powerful tool that is available at your fingertips.
All over the world millions of people are generating fresh content daily, for consumption by the masses that are searching online. If you continue to avoid social networking you will be left behind because your competitor is already there. If your firm is not taking advantage and participating in Social Media, it's high time that you should consider it.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS A FAD: Sociologists have recognized the paradigm shift in the way we communicate during these times where technology has taken center stage.
Rarely do we send snail mail. We are more preferential to e-mails for many reasons. They reach our audience faster, cost less and save on paper which in turn saves trees. If we can't reach our Accountant on their office phone, what do we do? We call them on their cell phones. We used to get our news by way of the morning paper with a cup of coffee; now, friends and strangers from the opposite side of the globe tweet about the death of Michael Jackson even before CNN can say - "This just in".
Imagine going back to the days when all these did not exist. When internet is "down", almost all businesses come to a screeching halt. Our lives and businesses have become so entwined with technology and with the communication shift that Social networking brought about we are left helpless without it.
Face it, Social media is far from a fad. It is here and here to stay.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS FREE: Sure, Social Networking tools are free, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, WordPress, Blogger, FriendFeed, Twitter and there are many more. All you need is to spend a few minutes registering and adding your account information and you can start your Social Marketing campaign!
While the account and initial set up are FREE and require very little time, you will have to continually engage your followers with updates and posts which will take time. Your time is valuable and certainly where your firm is concerned there must be a dollar value attached to it.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS EASY: Anyone can set up a blog, Twitter and Facebook account. Your children have a Facebook accounts, their friends are on Twitter even your dog has a social presence (created by your kids of course).
Set up is easy. But the bigger question is, how does an Accounting Firm Partner use these tools to their advantage? Social networking takes time and plenty of it. It takes commitment and also an understanding of basic marketing rules. You must also integrate your social media with your offline marketing strategy to ensure consistency.
While social networking is not a miracle cure all for your Accounting Firm's marketing needs it is an essential addition to your firms' repertoire of resources and tools. Like all else, you must sow the seeds before you will reap the benefits that Social Media can offer your firm.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS SIMPLY "FRIENDING" AND "LIKING": While building a large network is a goal that Social Networking can easily help you achieve, it isn't just about how big your following is. Social media is more about building meaningful connections and relationships.
In order for social marketing to work to your advantage, you have to engage your friends, clients and visitors gaining their trust and confidence in you by giving them something of value. You must be willing to provide them with tips and bits of content that they will find useful and informative.
By debunking some of the myths about Social Media, you the Accounting Firm Partner now have a better idea of how to proceed with using this powerful tool that is available at your fingertips.
All over the world millions of people are generating fresh content daily, for consumption by the masses that are searching online. If you continue to avoid social networking you will be left behind because your competitor is already there. If your firm is not taking advantage and participating in Social Media, it's high time that you should consider it.
