Hey all, my name is Eric Kim and after interning over at Demand Media, I just started working with the wonderful team of AKMG in sunny Santa Monica. As the Online Marketing Coordinator over here, I thought that I would provide some of my thoughts when it came to Online Social Media. An interesting fact about my background is that I actually taught a “Sociology of Facebook ” class over at UCLA.
My fabulous new boss Amber Paul will be chiming in from time to time on my blog, so heads up all the “hateroade” being served isn’t from just me….she wanted to help introduce a man that really needs no introduction…because really, if you haven't seen the AKMG twitter a(ff)buzz, than you're not on twitter. So you can blame the sass on the stilettos.
1. The Crowd is Always Right:
As they always say in the service-sector, “The customer is always right.” This also applies to online social media manifested through Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. Always listen for feedback and make sure to cater to your audience, and most importantly, your customers. When your fans or followers are saying positive things about your company or brand, most likely you’re doing something right. On the other hand, once you start hearing negative status updates, tweets, or comments about a decision that your company or brand did, you better start making some positive changes.
Yes that’s right guy…. No one cares about all your Facebook updates about your new Jersey Shorette of a girlfriend and how much you love each other and how much fun you have tanning and making out with each other instead of actually working to earn a living.
2. People Trust their Friends:
If you are going to buy a new car, whose opinion would you trust more: the opinion of a friend or the opinion of a car salesmen? The same thing goes for online social media. Make sure that you foster strong connections with your network, and they will do all the work of spreading great PR for you and your company. Focus on building trust with your audience and the rest will take care of itself.
Unless your friends own a continuity company that sells Google Biz opp or Acai Berry pills… then you really shouldn’t trust them over the used car salesperson because frozen merchant accounts can put a price on friendship…
3. Focus on Interaction:
Sociologically speaking, human life is all about interaction with other people. Therefore whenever you open the channels of communication with your audience via status updates or tweets, make sure to actually respond to what people are saying to you! Often times people forget that there are actually real people who are updating the social media sites. Therefore put the human side to social media and make build conversations with people! Don’t hesitate to ask your audience questions and ask for their opinions!
Some affiliate managers do a great job of doing this…. Especially when asking their affiliates which they like better… the picture of them doing a beer bong in a bikini or a picture of them kissing another girl at the Azogydraboothdigital bash Everyone’s opinions count right?
4. Be Interesting:
Who is going to be more popular at the party, the social butterfly who is telling great stories to everybody or the loner who drinks punch by himself in the corner? (These are also known as Eleah’s publishers…you know who you are) This is a no-brainer. This is because the social butterfly is one who actually has interesting things to say or tell others... IE why everybody hangs on Eleah’s every word because she loves to talk about herself… That’s right E-WWOOWW… The truth hurts. Winks. The same is with online social media. You don’t want to tell the same story that everybody else is telling. Provide content that nobody that is different and unique…. So Barman stop trying to stare down the shirt of your affiliate managers on the fly because it’s never gonna happen, no matter how scientific you get, so get back to optimizing that blog.
5. Be Visual:
Individuals of today’s modern society are heavily image-dependent. This means that we love seeing images in our daily lives and whatever is more colorful or interesting gets more attention.
What is more appealing, a colorful magazine or a boring black and white newspaper? What is more appealing, a picture of Ryan Eagle’s new pinky ring or a picture of Bryn Youngblut with his newest hired help of the week? And for the love of God what is wrong with John Chow?!?! This goes the same with your online social media platforms. You don’t want the same generic template as everyone else. Customize your profile pictures, backgrounds, and color schemes. I mean you want to at least make it where W4's Jason Walker will pay attention to your page enough to notice when you de-friend him…not because that ever happened…but just saying… Design it in such a way that if someone saw your Facebook, Twitter, or Blog, they would be impressed…. And if all else fails, just post pictures of yourself popping bottles and you will be sure to get a positive response… BALLER.
