Five ways social media is a tool for progress

When many people think about social media, they think about posting clever statuses and photos from their recent vacation. When most companies think about social media, they think about a free outlet for promotional strategies. While social media outlets can be used to promote a product or service, many companies could be taking better advantage of these sites.

In an article by Riley Gibson, he lists five ways businesses can use social media as a tool for progress. Gibson points out that companies don’t ask for ideas over social media. It may be a scary thought for companies to ask the public for new ideas, but your best focus group is right at your fingertips.

As stated before, most businesses use social media for promotions, but that can get old for consumers after awhile. To show they have a personality, businesses can post contests or polls to keep their audience’s interest. Once a social media plan is set in place, companies can have an effective and strategic social media presence.

Consumers use social media to post their feedback, whether negative or positive. Companies can use this to their advantage by posting questions about how to improve a current product and by responding to feedback from consumers. Communication between both parties will let customers know that ideas are being used, making them more willing to offer their opinion again. Unlike ads, social media allows for two-way communication. It provides an outlet for consumers to voice their opinion and for companies to respond. This communication forms a relationship that can’t be created through traditional advertising.

To read more about these five tips for progress, visit
http://mashable.com/2012/01/17/business-social-media-progress/.