The answer to that is yes… and no. ROI, return on investment, is key to any venture in business. But as Lee Odden from Top Rank says, in an interview with WebproNews, Social Media is more of a vehicle or a platform for connecting to your clients. ROI doesn’t necessarily have to apply in order for it to be important to participate and use Social Media to benefit your business.

Watch the video and post your ideas and thoughts in the comments:

More WebProNews Videos

This week yet another privacy issue with the popular social media site Facebook emerged. We’ve all see those quizzes where you can find out what type of mythical creature you are or where you should live. And you know what? Most of us are probably guilty of taking one or two ourselves. But did you know that when you take those quizzes you’re letting the quiz owner have all your private information? I didn’t think so.

So you’re getting into Social Media for both business and personal use. You’ve heard the hype about how you can not only build your brand using services such as Facebook and Twitter, actually sell products and now you’re ready to get started. But wait there are a few things you need to realize before you start spamming the social media services. These are the Six Rules of Social Media and are rules to live by.

• First rule of Social Media… DON’T SPAM THE SYSTEMS – people hate this and it won’t help your cause. If anything it will not get you any business and will hurt your brand
• Second rule of Social Media… Remember it’s all about the relationship – most people forget this, if you build a quality feed or a quality profile where good information is shared then people will come. I know I sound like Google’s Matt Cutts when I say this, but it’s true, CONTENT IS KING.
• Third rule of Social Media… Remember to listen as much if not more than your broadcast. Unlike traditional media, Social Media is about the conversation and in any good conversation there needs to be listening and participating.
• Fourth rule of Social Media… Respond to naysayers and people who are unhappy with you or your brand. Following how you message is perceived in the Social Media space is crucial. Responding quickly and appropriately will look good for your company’s brand as well as turn someone who is unhappy into a loyal customer.
• Fifth rule of Social Media… have fun with it. Yes Social Media is a great way to get the message out about your product and brand. But remember to actually enjoy communicating with people. If you don’t people will sense that you’re all business and will be turned off
• Finally, the Sixth rule of Social Media… DON’T SELL. I know it’s hard not to push your latest product out there for the world to see, but I’m not telling you not to do that. What I’m telling you to avoid is the overly used car salesman approach of berating people to try your new product. Introduce your product on a one-on-one basis with people, bring it up in conversation and try and make it seem natural.

If you follow these six simple rules of social media you’re on your way to getting the full benefits out of social media. You will not only generate conversations and be active in the online communities, but you will even grow your business and your brand.

Image: Flickr – BonkedProducer

This is a hotly debated topic. Does your employer have the right to tell you what you can do on social media in your free time? One way to look at this is ask yourself how does your actions on social media not only effect you but your company.

Sorry for the bit of a ramble but I’ve figured out a few things that I want to share with all of you. Auto Following has its merits but it also has its problems. My suggestion is to not do it. But this is not to say don’t follow people who follow you. You should and you should build relationships. This also segways into my response to Wil Reynolds post on the Seer Interactive blog about vetting your social media expert. I love Wil and think he’s awesome at what he does and he’s by far one the coolest guys I know. But I disagree with some points in his article. While you’re listening to my ramble find me on twitter @sethgoldstein.

Before you get started in social media to promote your company, you need to have a plan in place. Not only do you need to plan you need to know how to execute the plan and the tactic.

People come up to me all the time and ask if I think their business would benefit from Social Media and Viral Marketing. I almost always say yes. There really isn’t any business that can’t benefit from more exposure to the masses. Below in the video, I talk some more about this and how we at Goldstein Media can help you and your company capitalize on Social Media and Viral Marketing.

@drew

Drew Olanoff, an avid Tweeter and social media maven has cancer. When he found out he needed a way to deal with it. Enter the hashtag #blamedrewscancer and the website BlameDrewsCancer.com. Drew a true-blue Philly-boy was on Fox 29 this morning talking about his social media phenomenon and how he’s not only helping raise money for cancer research but awareness to the disease(s) as well.

Drew’s useage of social media is a fantastic example of how new technology can be used to build a brand and take a stand on an imporant issue. Please check out his site. Donate if you can and participate in any manner possible.

WebPro News has a great video of Chris Brogan, the social media guru behind New Marketing Labs and ChrisBrogan.com. In the video (below), Chris discusses what he sees as the future of Social Media. Definitely worth a watch.

More WebProNews Videos

Where do you think Social Media is headed? Post your thoughts below in the comments.

MOM the acronym synonymous with marketing and now social media marketing. It is three simple concepts that needed to really get the most out of your social media marketing campaigns.