Is Your Business Even READY For Social Media?
I have a friend who recently began working for a hotel that is part of a large hotel chain. Oh my goodness, you should hear the stories!! The hotel chain is rumoured to be having some financial issues and I’m not at all surprised. There are very few systems in place and those systems that ARE in place are antiquated and in need of complete revision.
For instance:
1. The computer system went down. There was one guy working tech support but he was unable to help so for at least 4 nights, this particular hotel was unable to accept any guest who was not already registered because the front desk had no idea who to expect to arrive or even how many guest rooms were reserved. Everything had to be done on paper and re-entered into the computer at a later date. Think of the loss of money.
2. They ran out of key cards! Someone thought there were enough key cards (for the room doors) but when they opened the box, there were just a few and no additional boxes had been ordered. Therefore (AGAIN), they were forced to turn away customers because there wasn’t a way to get them into their room. HA!
3. And then there was the pool incident. The chlorine balance wasn’t correct (because the maintenance guy was sick) so the pool had to be shut down. Angry people were everywhere!
4. I wanted to call the hotel one day to discuss something with their manager. I didn’t have their number and so I checked the on-line yellow pages – no listing. I checked my iPhone’s app – no listing. I literally had to call another hotel in this chain located in a different state in order to find their number! They are not new; they have been in this city since at least 2004.
But the piece de resistance: the hotel advertises a complimentary breakfast buffet. A customer came to the front desk to mention that the buffet needed restocking. Well, it wasn’t restocking that it needed – the hotel never did have any eggs (usually hard-boiled by the manager in residence in her room, no less); the waffle batter hadn’t been ordered; neither had the orange juice or pastries. So essentially, the complimentary breakfast buffet consisted of toast and coffee. Do you think this customer will consider using this hotel for their next hotel stay?
It’s my guess that unless some drastic action is taken, this hotel chain will not be around much longer. They are not ready for customers.
So what does all this have to do with social media?
Because of some networking groups that I have been participating in, I have been viewing quite a few websites. More than just a few of these websites are trying to participate in social media and yet they are not ready for social media.
Here are some things to consider when readying your business for participation in social media:
1. Do you have Social Media Share buttons?
Social Media Share buttons make it easy for your website visitors to share your content on social media. There are very few people who are going to take the time to copy the URL and paste it into their Twitter, Facebook or Google+ pages. There are numerous plug-ins that you can add to your website to accomplish this. I use Digg Digg and have chosen the option of sharing at the top, bottom and side of my blog posts.
2. Do you have Social Media Connection buttons? Are they easy to find and do they link to the correct account?
Your social media connection buttons should be located about the fold. Make it easy for your friends, fans, and followers to find you. Also, every once in awhile, check to make sure that your links are working. Sometimes the technology gremlins visit and they just magically stop working.
3. If you have a blog, is it easy for people to comment on it?
There are so many different types of websites and many different types of WordPress themes. You’ll want to have Akismet installed in order to moderate spam but It’s also important to find a way to make it easy for people to interact with you on your blog. Do take the time to find out which kind of plug in will work for you. Some ideas are Disqus, CommentLuvPremium, Intense Debate, WP Paginate, Facebook Comments (some potential drawbacks with this one). There is also a new one that looks interesting: Google+ Comments which looks interesting. DON’T get a plug-in that requires a “captcha” or requires people to create a log in – because they won’t do it.
4. Are you updating your blog regularly?
If you don’t update your blog with good, fresh content, you have nothing to share on your social media platforms that is YOURS. You’ll then become either a walking billboard for other people or a person crying out for sales: Visit US, Buy from us, Like Us! Um….no.
5. Are you actually interacting on social media?
It’s one thing to set up your account (and some folks actually advise grabbing your preferred tag or name on new platforms as they emerge) but to get any leverage with them, you must go out there an engage! Be consistent. As I always say on Twitter: Tweeting only occasionally is a great way to let others FORGET you! And have a Facebook page with no activity on it is actually worse than not having one at all.
6. Newsletters are an important part of social media. Is your free give-away or opt-in form easy to find?
You cannot grow your e-mail list if folks can’t find a way to sign up for your newsletter. Your opt-in form should be above the fold and you might also consider posting a shorter version of it after each blog post.
7. Are you using interesting images on your blog posts so that visitors will want to “pin” them on Pinterest?
If you’re a subscriber to my newsletter, then you have my report on where to find some great royalty-free images. If you need that report again, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll send it out to you.
8. Other options:
A Pinterest Widget – shows your most recent pins, allows a connection and adds color and interest to your website
An Instagram Widget – shows your most recent Instagram photos and allows a connection; Adds interest
A Facebook Widget – allows folks to like your page directly from your website.
Rebel Mouse – a complilation of your social media activity
What other items do you find imperative to your Social Media success? Please let me know what I’ve forgotten.
*Image courtesy of Kittisak at freedigitalphotos.net
You’re most welcome to use this article on your website, blog or in your e-zine if you include this entire blurb, without modification: If you liked this article by Shelley Webb, you’ll want to hop on over to www.OnTheWebbSocialMedia.com where you can find more articles, resources and social media strategies. Shelley teaches entrepreneurs and small business owners how to bring their business into the on-line conversation.
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