Be the Thought Leader in Social Media Channels.
Whether you like it or not, social media (SM) is critical to managing a corporate reputation and the value of SM is in its contribution to business intelligence (BI) and search engine optimization (SEO). Because public relations professionals are focused on creating and maintain credibility and trust for clients, it becomes important in our practices to include social media consulting.
SEO
One of our clients, a regional medical practice, worked with us to develop an integrated public relations and digital marketing campaign. In just a few months, the practice tripled website traffic, gained a regular column in the print newspaper and created far more followers in Twitter than the number this practice follows. Next, the lead doctor was offered space for an editorial in The New York Times. The practice easily manages to update its messaging on Facebook and blog sites that we created for the client and we monitor the news online and in print to help this group keep content fresh and all channels connected and relevant.
BI
Major corporations are using Twitter, Facebook and other social media review sites to cost-effectively monitor customer interests and selections. Using social media for market analysis is replacing the older survey model that too quickly becomes outdated. Social media research can be refreshed constantly.
Even if your organization is resistant to social media and would prefer to avoid it, that is practically impossible. Your information can be shared, your company can be reviewed on third-party sites, and you are in social media whether you like it or not through the individuals in a company that are using social media. Rather than be reactive, we recommend being proactive. Get in, be the thought leader that you are in traditional media.
