We work with businesses of all sizes helping them understand, navigate and participate in the online space and understand the value of social media marketing.
For those of us who are old hands at that, it seems like no big deal. But for a vast number of people, even ones who are somewhat familiar with the Internet, social mediums are very much an unknown and social media marketing can seem overwhelming and very unattractive.
One thing that we strive to do is make our clients’ forays into the world of social mediums fun. “Fun?” you say – “how’s that possible?”
It’s really not as difficult as you might think – and it’s almost always about the little things.
The Corporate Blog. Take corporate blogging for instance. We often work with clients and get them started on a corporate blog. In addition to developing the blog itself, we also help develop a content marketing strategy and an editorial calendar. We work with our clients and teach them how to write content that is not only informative, but also interesting, entertaining and a nice representation of their brand.
Finding Fun. In the process, kind of in stealth mode, and while they might not realize it, we’re showing people how fun it can be to not only have a corporate blog, but to participate — and contribute to it. In that respect, we’re all a lot like children, and our blog posts are our babies. Before long, we see people proudly sending their first posts, or their most popular posts to their moms (don’t laugh – I do!) – or significant others – or posting on Facebook walls and sharing with friends. See what I mean – it’s all about the little things.
The Fun Theory. And you know what, that’s the fun part. Changing behavior when it comes to social media often means making time in our day-to-day work activities for something new. Much like the Volkswagen Fun Theory and the amazing Piano stairs, before long, new is the new norm.
Every time I watch any of the videos of The Fun Theory campaign, they make me smile. And I marvel at the genius behind them. Fun. So simple. Are you smiling? If not, I’ll bet it’s because you’ve not yet watched that video.
Numbers Can Be Fun Too. Because I’m a geek, what’s even more fun for me is showing clients how to watch their web analytics and see the fruits of their corporate blogging labors blossom.
I remember when I first started blogging, I was delighted to have ten people read one of my blog posts. I’m no less delighted today, when I have hundreds read my posts. Having analytics on your blog and, even more importantly, looking at them regularly, can help you plot the road map to success.
Success. That can be a myriad of things. But, when it relates to social media and the corporate blog, if done correctly, it can mean more traffic to your website, more brand awareness, more prospective customers, more leads, more opportunities, more sales. And oh yes, those things are a whole lotta fun, too. I’ll leave you with some stats on corporate blogging that you might find interesting:
43% of US companies are projected to put an emphasis on blogging in 2012, up from 34% in 2009 (eMarketer).
The company blog leads all social channels when it comes to acquiring leads. (Hubspot)*
34% of US companies use blogging for marketing purposes. (Hubspot)*
There’s a 67% increase in sales for companies that blog over companies that don’t blog. (Hubspot)*
Still kicking around the idea of starting a corporate blog, or trying to get inspired to contribute regularly to the one you already have? Hopefully this post will help you get going. If not, call me, I have a degree in Professional Nagging.
*Source, State of Inbound Marketing Report, Hubspot
Image Credit: BalooCartoons.com
Shelly Kramer is a Principal Analyst and Founding Partner at Futurum Research. A serial entrepreneur with a technology centric focus, she has worked alongside some of the world’s largest brands to embrace disruption and spur innovation, understand and address the realities of the connected customer, and help navigate the process of digital transformation. She brings 20 years’ experience as a brand strategist to her work at Futurum, and has deep experience helping global companies with marketing challenges, GTM strategies, messaging develoment, and driving strategy and digital transformation for B2B brands across multiple verticals. Shelly’s coverage areas include Collaboration/CX/SaaS, platforms, ESG, and Cybersecurity, as well as topics and trends related to the Future of Work, the transformation of the workplace and how people and technology are driving that transformation. A transplanted New Yorker, she has learned to love life in the Midwest, and has firsthand experience that some of the most innovative minds and most successful companies in the world also happen to live in “flyover country.”
