Social Marketing is not new it’s just changing

Monday, 16th June 2014

Categories: Ideas

For the past decade it’s all social this and social that and there seems no sign of it going away.

No-one can deny the impact of social media marketing and communications.

You can’t move for emails, white papers, free guides and “social” events all pointing out that without a strong social media presence you are doomed.

Well for the younger audience it may come as a surprise but social marketing has been around for decades and includes:

• Taking out prospects and clients to lunch
• Meeting new contacts at networking events
• Meting business contacts down the pub
• Going to visit prospects and new clients
• Phoning and talking with a prospect
• Having a fun day out with a client’s company team
• Sending clients invitations, direct mail offers newsletters, brochures, sales info etc.

Now you may have spotted a theme here. All the above mean you actually have to meet and communicate and indulge in real dialogue and send tangible items. Social is all about image and sound and can be very 2 dimensional. Sending a high quality brochure in a branded envelope, following up with a real conversation and then meeting face to face sounds like harder work and does require more investment but the results are worth it.

So yes do have some fun with social media/marketing but worry about those of us who actually go out and meet your clients and give them information in a tangible form.

Author: Gamze Bilgili