Use marketers learned a lot about Social Media Marketing in 2008. Having the chance to observe, analyze, create and monitor social media strategies throughout the year, I offer this suggested list of Social Media New Year's Resolutions for 2009:
1. Listen more than you talk. This is good advice in general, but it's make-or-break in social media. No matter how great your new product is, it's not as important as what your prospects are saying on Facebook, what your clients are Tweeting about or what your employees are discussing in LinkedIn groups. If you have to choose between talking and listening, listen.
2. Don't spam. Ever. Always say exactly who you are. Make your intentions known. Think of Social Media Marketing as a two-way conversation, not a sales call.
3. Participate. Attendance and enthusiasm are half the game. Find where your audience gathers online and then genuinely and passionately participate in the community.
4. Think about goals,not rules. If your goal is to build a community to provide a platform for your audience to share innovative ideas in real time and connect around your brand then don't spend four weeks trying to make sure you have the right color blue in the navigation. Big results come from big moves. Time, money and energy are limited resources. Spend them wisely.
5. Think in terms of strategy, not campaigns. Social media is not about a 3-month program to launch a product. Social media is part of your business. You wouldn't offer customer service for only 3 months of the year. You wouldn't have media relations for only 3 months of the year. Treat social media marketing the same. In 2009, it should be a key part of the way you are doing business.
How about you? What Social Media New Years Resolutions are you making, or suggesting, this year?
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