Source:
Twidiots: The Fact and Fiction of Social Media Demographics, by
Augie Ray for
Social Media Today
I’m surprised by the amount of ignorance that exists today about Social Media demographics. Considering how easily accessible statistics and studies are, there is no excuse for marketers and those interested in communications to hold incorrect beliefs, make erroneous statements, or base decisions upon outdated assumptions. But whether due to laziness, fear, or bias, some people are saying awfully dumb things about Social Media.
First Twidiot: In an AdAge.com article about Michelob’s use of Twitter, George Hacker, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest said, “Twitter is for kids, and this is a way to put these brand names in their faces.” (Full disclosure: I do not work with Michelob, but I am involved with the marketing of beer brands; my client has an unwavering commitment and takes constant and proactive steps to target their marketing messages to the appropriate adult audience.)
Whether Hacker is simply misinformed or allowed his passion to get in the way of the truth, his contention about Twitter is demonstrably and thoroughly incorrect. I expect better from a guy who is a director at an organization with “science” in its name.
Quantcast’s data cannot tell us specifically about the 21+ audience on Twitter because they divide age groups at 18 and not 21, the legal drinking age, but quantcast’s data still paints a conclusive picture. Just 6% of Twitter site visitors are under 18. More than half are over 35 years old.
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corporate marketing,
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Written by Social Media Mashup – Rob Murray, via A Good Example of a Bad Facebook Strategy
Expedia
So to start with a fact, Expedia (the web based travel agency) has seen an 87% drop in their profit margin over the last year. This huge loss may be largely attributed to the economic downturn of recent years but could there also be a more intrinsic reason?
Expedia is not famed for its great customer service reputation, and in times of financial hardship this could prove extremely problematic. In times of plenty, holidays are booked as a matter of course. Less a luxury and more a necessity. Expedia has never had to worry a huge deal about customer retention as there was enough demand for new business. With this recent drop in profits though, they may well want to wake up and smell the virtual coffee.
Expedia on Facebook (or not!)
Social media is almost made for a company like Expedia. People like to discuss their holidays, recommend places (or recommend good booking agents). Travellers take photos and post them online. Expedia now owns Trip Adviser, the holiday reviews website and the Trip Advisor brand was an early adopter of Facebook applications with its Google Maps mashup.
How they have ignored Facebook
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expedia,
social media,
Strategy,
Twitter
1. if you want people to pay attention to you, you have to pay attention to them.
put simply, you must RECIPROCATE. without this, nothing will happen for you. You can add as many friends as you want, spew out as many messages as possible, but people will just ignore you. Social media is about Establishing Relationships. This, first and foremost.
2. no more spam
bad behaviour is punished with a simple block or unfollow. Instant lifelong banishment. Goodbye to the spam of the email days; in social media YOU have control over what you see and what you don’t see. Big difference.
3. good stuff spreads. Fast.
this is like the word-of-mouth effect in the real world, except times 100. even 1000. Good stuff reaches ‘1 person’ they pass it onto 7, then 7 times 7, in a chain that ripples out in MINUTES. Stuff that is GOLD does rise to the top. Fast.
4. be real
doesn’t matter what social network you’re on, keep it real. People will appreciate this no end. Everyone is sick of reading advertising copy all over the web, show some humor, insanity, goofiness, or insight. Be different, be real. No-one is as boring as a newsreader. INJECT personality. everyone’s got it, just let it show 
5. pick your avatar carefully
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cartoon,
facebook,
social media,
Twitter
via
Six tips for using Twitter as a recruitment tool | View from the Cubicle | TechRepublic.com, by Toni Bowers
According to Nielsen NetView, in February 2009, Twitter had nearly 7.1 million users, with a growth rate of 1,382 percent from the year before. Some companies are finding this growth rate a great opportunity to recruit people for jobs.
In a recent issue of Workforce Management, two representatives from digital advertising agency Organic said they have made Twitter the anchor of their job posting strategy. Here are some of the benefits, according to Organic:
“Once we have an opening that might be a fit for a Twitter friend, rather than making a cold call to a stranger, we can make a “warm tweet.” We can talk to someone with whom we’ve already interacted, who already understands a bit about Organic based on tweets that cover Organic’s culture, work and news items. It’s less like a blind date and more like a first date with someone you’ve already met.
Another benefit: There are no time or space constraints to tweeting with a candidate. We don’t have to interrupt potential candidates during their busy workdays; they can engage with us when it’s convenient for them. And candidates who aren’t ready to make a move can easily retweet, or forward, our opening to peers who may also be a fit.”
Also, it’s free, unlike many traditional job boards.
Tagged as:
Jobs,
recruiting,
recruitment,
Twitter
Social media
