Mass Media
If you want to tell someone a secret, you whisper in that person's ear. But how would you tell vast numbers of people some information? Would you shout it at the top of your lungs? Probably not. You probably would turn to one or more forms of mass communication, which include newspapers, magazines, TV, and radio. Using these to distribute information is far more efficient than shouting.
In mass communication, your challenge as a writer and speaker is to deliver information to as many people as possible. To do so requires that you rely on words and phrases that have common meanings for many different people. It is necessary to know your audience and choose a style of communication that is compatible for your readers or listeners.
Mass communication on a global scale is a cultural phenomenon with a relatively brief history. Even so, the techniques of speaking to mass audiences are as old as chieftains and kings. Because mass communication has become much more multicultural, the challenge to find a common ground in ideas and language has changed also.
In mass communications programs, you study different communication theories that try to explain how people listen, understand, and think about what others say to them. Depending on the program, you can focus your studies on journalism, advertising, public relations, or even radio and TV broadcasting. Some mass communications programs focus more on the effect of mass media on society, and its role in today's world.
In mass communication, your challenge as a writer and speaker is to deliver information to as many people as possible. To do so requires that you rely on words and phrases that have common meanings for many different people. It is necessary to know your audience and choose a style of communication that is compatible for your readers or listeners.
Mass communication on a global scale is a cultural phenomenon with a relatively brief history. Even so, the techniques of speaking to mass audiences are as old as chieftains and kings. Because mass communication has become much more multicultural, the challenge to find a common ground in ideas and language has changed also.
In mass communications programs, you study different communication theories that try to explain how people listen, understand, and think about what others say to them. Depending on the program, you can focus your studies on journalism, advertising, public relations, or even radio and TV broadcasting. Some mass communications programs focus more on the effect of mass media on society, and its role in today's world.
Dominant Features in Mass Media
Journalist:
Journalists work in many areas of life, finding and conveying information. However, for the purposes of this Job Resource Seeker we define journalists fundamentally as men and women who present that information as news to their audiences of newspapers, magazines, radio or television stations or the Internet.
What do journalists actually do? Within these different media fields, there are specialist tasks for journalists. In large organisations, the journalists may specialise in only one task. In small organisations, each journalist may have to do many different tasks. Here are some of the jobs journalists do:
Reporters gather information and present it in a written or spoken form in news stories, feature articles or documentaries. Reporters may work on the staff of news organisations, but may also work freelance, writing stories for whoever grants them pay. General reporters cover all sorts of news stories, but some journalists specialise in certain areas such as reporting sport, politics or agriculture, some may have their niche.
Sub-editors take the stories written by reporters and put them into a form which suits the special needs of their particular newspaper, magazine, bulletin or web page. Sub-editors very seldom gather information themselves. Their job is to concentrate on how the story can best be presented to their audience and what demographic is desirable for the source They are often called subs. The person in charge of them is called the chief sub-editor, usually shortened to chief sub.
Photojournalists use photographs to tell the news. They either cover events with a reporter, taking photographs to illustrate the written story, or attend news events on their own, presenting both the pictures and a story or caption.
The editor is usually the person who makes the final decision about what is included in the newspaper, magazine or news bulletins. He or she is responsible for all the content and all the journalists. Editors may have deputies and assistants to help them.
The news editor is the person in charge of the news journalists. In small organisations, the news editor may make all the decisions about what stories to cover and who will do the work. In larger organisations, the news editor may have a deputy, often called the chief of staff, whose special job is to assign reporters to the stories selected.
Feature writers work for newspapers and magazines, writing longer stories which usually give background to the news. In small organisations the reporters themselves will write feature articles. The person in charge of features is usually called the features editor. Larger radio or television stations may have specialist staff producing current affairs programs - the broadcasting equivalent of the feature article. The person in charge of producing a particular current affairs program is usually called theproducer and the person in charge of all the programs in that series is called the executive producer or EP.
Specialist writers may be employed to produce personal commentary columns or reviews of things such as books, films, art or performances. They are usually selected for their knowledge about certain subjects or their ability to write well. Again, small organisations may use general reporters for some or all of these tasks.
There are many other jobs which can be done by journalists. It is a career with many opportunities.
What do journalists actually do? Within these different media fields, there are specialist tasks for journalists. In large organisations, the journalists may specialise in only one task. In small organisations, each journalist may have to do many different tasks. Here are some of the jobs journalists do:
Reporters gather information and present it in a written or spoken form in news stories, feature articles or documentaries. Reporters may work on the staff of news organisations, but may also work freelance, writing stories for whoever grants them pay. General reporters cover all sorts of news stories, but some journalists specialise in certain areas such as reporting sport, politics or agriculture, some may have their niche.
Sub-editors take the stories written by reporters and put them into a form which suits the special needs of their particular newspaper, magazine, bulletin or web page. Sub-editors very seldom gather information themselves. Their job is to concentrate on how the story can best be presented to their audience and what demographic is desirable for the source They are often called subs. The person in charge of them is called the chief sub-editor, usually shortened to chief sub.
Photojournalists use photographs to tell the news. They either cover events with a reporter, taking photographs to illustrate the written story, or attend news events on their own, presenting both the pictures and a story or caption.
The editor is usually the person who makes the final decision about what is included in the newspaper, magazine or news bulletins. He or she is responsible for all the content and all the journalists. Editors may have deputies and assistants to help them.
The news editor is the person in charge of the news journalists. In small organisations, the news editor may make all the decisions about what stories to cover and who will do the work. In larger organisations, the news editor may have a deputy, often called the chief of staff, whose special job is to assign reporters to the stories selected.
Feature writers work for newspapers and magazines, writing longer stories which usually give background to the news. In small organisations the reporters themselves will write feature articles. The person in charge of features is usually called the features editor. Larger radio or television stations may have specialist staff producing current affairs programs - the broadcasting equivalent of the feature article. The person in charge of producing a particular current affairs program is usually called theproducer and the person in charge of all the programs in that series is called the executive producer or EP.
Specialist writers may be employed to produce personal commentary columns or reviews of things such as books, films, art or performances. They are usually selected for their knowledge about certain subjects or their ability to write well. Again, small organisations may use general reporters for some or all of these tasks.
There are many other jobs which can be done by journalists. It is a career with many opportunities.
Media Officer:
A press officer, also known as a public relations specialist or press secretary, is the official spokesperson for his/her employer. Their job is to develop, project and maintain a positive impression of the individual or company for which they works. They may work for a large or small company and may be employed in either the public or private sector.
Communications are normally the press officer’s area of speciality. All inquiries made by the media regarding her employer commonly go directly to them. They are generally expected to answer these questions with diplomacy and discretion, based on the opinions and views of her employers. These inquires may be made via telephone, e-mail or in person.
In addition to answering inquires, a press officer is typically expected to create a a good image of their employer and ensure that impression does not fluctuate. They may do this through holding press conferences and news interviews as well as writing articles and press releases. Success in this position is frequently achieved through pro-actively promoting an image and building upon that representation.
If their employer is negatively represented in the press or accused of a tasteless act or viewpoint, they are supposedly expected to suppress the disapproval while reconstructing positive actions and perspectives. They are ordinarily expected to monitor all media sources to identify and respond to stories as quickly as possible. Their employer normally gives the right of authority to represent him, them or the company in all public communications.
Communications are normally the press officer’s area of speciality. All inquiries made by the media regarding her employer commonly go directly to them. They are generally expected to answer these questions with diplomacy and discretion, based on the opinions and views of her employers. These inquires may be made via telephone, e-mail or in person.
In addition to answering inquires, a press officer is typically expected to create a a good image of their employer and ensure that impression does not fluctuate. They may do this through holding press conferences and news interviews as well as writing articles and press releases. Success in this position is frequently achieved through pro-actively promoting an image and building upon that representation.
If their employer is negatively represented in the press or accused of a tasteless act or viewpoint, they are supposedly expected to suppress the disapproval while reconstructing positive actions and perspectives. They are ordinarily expected to monitor all media sources to identify and respond to stories as quickly as possible. Their employer normally gives the right of authority to represent him, them or the company in all public communications.
Advertising:
The marketing, advertising, and public relations industry covers a broad spectrum of function from the technical elements of market research to the more creative product/brand development, promotion, media relations, reputation management, public affairs, direct marketing and sponsorship. Digital roles (creative, design and production) are increasing significantly.
Marketing budgets, particularly social-media budgets, are increasing again as the global recession eases, and opportunities are available for graduates with exceptional communication skills, organisational skills and creative flair.
What kind of work can you do?Marketing can be defined as the intermediary function between product development and sales. It is the marketing professional’s job to create, manage and enhance brands.
Many roles are in-house and deal exclusively with one organisation’s marketing - usually incorporating advertising and sometimes PR. The work includes:
Advertising is a creative and fast-paced industry that uses paid-for space in various media outlets to motivate people to buy products and services or change their attitudes. Advertising involves developing and implementing the company's advertising strategy.
Professionals are often employed in agencies. These agencies can either be specialist, e.g. media buying or digital/online, or full-service agencies. The work often includes:
Marketing budgets, particularly social-media budgets, are increasing again as the global recession eases, and opportunities are available for graduates with exceptional communication skills, organisational skills and creative flair.
What kind of work can you do?Marketing can be defined as the intermediary function between product development and sales. It is the marketing professional’s job to create, manage and enhance brands.
Many roles are in-house and deal exclusively with one organisation’s marketing - usually incorporating advertising and sometimes PR. The work includes:
- promotion/sales planning;
- branding;
- media relations;
- product development;
- sponsorship;
- digital marketing;
- direct marketing;
- market research.
Advertising is a creative and fast-paced industry that uses paid-for space in various media outlets to motivate people to buy products and services or change their attitudes. Advertising involves developing and implementing the company's advertising strategy.
Professionals are often employed in agencies. These agencies can either be specialist, e.g. media buying or digital/online, or full-service agencies. The work often includes:
- creating and managing integrated advertising campaigns;
- client and supplier liaison;
- planning, research and evaluation;
- new business development;
- digital roles - creative, design and production
Radio Presenting:
Radio Presenters are the voice of a station or programme, whether they work in speech-based or music Radio. They are responsible for creating the tone and style of Radio output and establishing a relationship with listeners. They may also be required to carry out a range of other production tasks, as well as deliver content for related websites or other mobile platforms
Radio Presenters' specific responsibilities differ considerably depending on the programme or station. The majority of Radio Presenters are part of a small team, although some work with much larger programme units. They are mainly based in offices and recording studios, but may also work on location presenting outside broadcasts.
Radio Presenters' specific responsibilities differ considerably depending on the programme or station. The majority of Radio Presenters are part of a small team, although some work with much larger programme units. They are mainly based in offices and recording studios, but may also work on location presenting outside broadcasts.
Elaborations of Mass Media and Emerging Trends
Some of the features of working in Mass Media that you'll need to know.
In Australia and most westernised countries , Editors may usually ask: how many people are affected and where? Whether the story is happening locally, nationally or internationally is often thought over, in means of their target audience, who will it affect, what is their demographic and such.
There are always exceptions to determining news line-ups. But, generally a strong local story will supersede a national one, and a strong national one will supersede an international one, etc. For example, the election of the President in the United States, or a Prime Minister in Australia, would usually be more so prevalent over a natural disaster in some third world country. Although important to the people and country dealing with the matter, it will be devoid of importance to other nations to some degree, especially when informing.
If you're not on local television, you barely scratch the surface. Not to a large demographic of people, anyway. And if you're not on radio news, you're oblivious to a different audience that turns on news radio when their turn on the ignition and drive to work. Yet in public relations, there's always been a bias toward newspapers.
Most professionals who work in this line of work, majority of the time start out as print reporters. Newspapers are also tangible. You can actually hold the palpable story in your hands. You can even cut it out with scissors and make photocopies, or hit cut-and-paste and forward a story to your boss and co-workers.
It's much more difficult to capture an audio clip from a radio story, or a video clip of a TV piece. Stations -- especially radio stations -- broadcast all day, 24./7. They don't have the server space or the free labour to save and archive every second of audio and video.
And it is true, that newspapers typically break stories that TV and radio stations then cover. It's not a covert that radio and TV producers read the morning paper when they're looking for things to fill the daily broadcasts and kill sometime.
Today, people can get their news from thousands of different outlets. There are hundreds of outlets on paid TV and internet radio. You can access just about any newspaper you want online by the click of your fingertips. These days when the entire nation goes home from work, reading the newspaper and turning on the television.
If one wants to reach more than a slice of the demographic that you sought for, they have to get into not only newspapers, but radio, television and the internet, etc. To make a larger impact.
The new Pew Research Center study on where people turn to for news shows a prolific dependence on the internet, with a big spike in people reporting that they turn on their smart phone to look up news, weather and sports.
People also reported that they checked multiple sources, with 99 % of Americans saying that on a typical day, they check the news from at least one of the following: on television, radio, in print or on the web.
TV is prominent, with 78 % of Americans saying they watch local TV news and 73 % getting their news from networks or cable news channels.
The internet is growing prolifically; 61 % of people said they checked news online. Radio 54 % barely beat local newspapers 50 % and national newspapers came in at 17 %.
There's also a big switch toward social media, which is now a common trait. People are Twittering and Facebooking about stories.The whole point of mass communication is reaching the masses and drawing them in. You could dominate the radio airwaves but miss almost half the population. The same with newspapers.
Local TV looks like a great option, reaching almost eight in ten people. But it's ten times harder to get coverage on the TV news as it is to get into newspapers, radio or the internet.
Today's audience being so fragmented means any plan to get press coverage has to cover all of those bases. You can't send the same press releases to every media outlet and call it good. A release that's the right size for a newspaper is far too long to read on the radio.
In Australia and most westernised countries , Editors may usually ask: how many people are affected and where? Whether the story is happening locally, nationally or internationally is often thought over, in means of their target audience, who will it affect, what is their demographic and such.
There are always exceptions to determining news line-ups. But, generally a strong local story will supersede a national one, and a strong national one will supersede an international one, etc. For example, the election of the President in the United States, or a Prime Minister in Australia, would usually be more so prevalent over a natural disaster in some third world country. Although important to the people and country dealing with the matter, it will be devoid of importance to other nations to some degree, especially when informing.
If you're not on local television, you barely scratch the surface. Not to a large demographic of people, anyway. And if you're not on radio news, you're oblivious to a different audience that turns on news radio when their turn on the ignition and drive to work. Yet in public relations, there's always been a bias toward newspapers.
Most professionals who work in this line of work, majority of the time start out as print reporters. Newspapers are also tangible. You can actually hold the palpable story in your hands. You can even cut it out with scissors and make photocopies, or hit cut-and-paste and forward a story to your boss and co-workers.
It's much more difficult to capture an audio clip from a radio story, or a video clip of a TV piece. Stations -- especially radio stations -- broadcast all day, 24./7. They don't have the server space or the free labour to save and archive every second of audio and video.
And it is true, that newspapers typically break stories that TV and radio stations then cover. It's not a covert that radio and TV producers read the morning paper when they're looking for things to fill the daily broadcasts and kill sometime.
Today, people can get their news from thousands of different outlets. There are hundreds of outlets on paid TV and internet radio. You can access just about any newspaper you want online by the click of your fingertips. These days when the entire nation goes home from work, reading the newspaper and turning on the television.
If one wants to reach more than a slice of the demographic that you sought for, they have to get into not only newspapers, but radio, television and the internet, etc. To make a larger impact.
The new Pew Research Center study on where people turn to for news shows a prolific dependence on the internet, with a big spike in people reporting that they turn on their smart phone to look up news, weather and sports.
People also reported that they checked multiple sources, with 99 % of Americans saying that on a typical day, they check the news from at least one of the following: on television, radio, in print or on the web.
TV is prominent, with 78 % of Americans saying they watch local TV news and 73 % getting their news from networks or cable news channels.
The internet is growing prolifically; 61 % of people said they checked news online. Radio 54 % barely beat local newspapers 50 % and national newspapers came in at 17 %.
There's also a big switch toward social media, which is now a common trait. People are Twittering and Facebooking about stories.The whole point of mass communication is reaching the masses and drawing them in. You could dominate the radio airwaves but miss almost half the population. The same with newspapers.
Local TV looks like a great option, reaching almost eight in ten people. But it's ten times harder to get coverage on the TV news as it is to get into newspapers, radio or the internet.
Today's audience being so fragmented means any plan to get press coverage has to cover all of those bases. You can't send the same press releases to every media outlet and call it good. A release that's the right size for a newspaper is far too long to read on the radio.
- TV can't run with plain words. There has to be images, something alluring to the eyes.
- To reach all of these different demographics and forms of media, need more focusing on what is congenial to them all.
- Newspapers need text and photos.
- Radio require live people in the studio or on the phone, talking about an issue.
- Television stations need stronger images.
Emerging Trends
According to the Infinite Dial study conducted by Arbitron and Edison Research the internet has become the most important medium for the first time by surpassing tv. Being asked to have to decide between internet and tv 49 % of people answered to abandon tv opposed to 48 % to abandon the internet. Too, most interesting is the broad adaption of digital media in cars by 24 % of people using mp3 in connection with car media.
Simultaneous TV/Web Usage Jumps
In a sign that TV and the internet are starting to converge in viewers’ consciousness, more people spent more time simultaneously viewing the internet and TV in December 2009 than in June 2009 or December 2008, according to the Three Screens Report from The Nielsen Company .
In December 2009, 59% of Americans used TV and the internet simultaneously, compared to 56.9% in June 2009 and 57.5% in December 2008. On a year-over-year basis, participation in this activity increased 2.7%.
Counting individual users, 134,056 Americans used TV and the internet simultaneously in December 2009. This compares to 128,047 in June 2009 and 128,167 in December 2008. On a year-over-year basis, the number of people using TV and the internet simultaneously increased 4.6%.
No one can doubt the mass reach that television enables, but the truth is the online channel is now beginning to offer that same level of audience reach - but with arguably better engagement and offers. And almost always at a more affordable price.
Users are also spending more time online than ever before. It depends who's releasing the report (e.g., Nielsen or an online publisher like Yahoo), but some studies show that online media consumption has now surpassed TV viewing. As reported by MSNBC, this is most certainly true of teens and young adults, with time spent online now surpassing time spent watching TV or talking on the phone.
And the advertisers follow the eyeballs. Online advertising has been rapidly encroaching on traditional media's portion of the media mix pie for the last several years. And according to Forrester , spending on online advertising is in fact set to eclipse TV spends by 2016.
And according to several studies, these online viewers may be more engaged and have higher ad recall than those watching TV commercials. The same report by Nielsen found that premium online video ads had better brand impact metrics than traditional TV ads, including brand recall, message recall, and likeability.
Additionally, a 2012 survey by BrightRoll found that 64 percent of advertisers surveyed said that online video advertising is equally or more effective than ads on television. And 87 percent said that video was more effective than display advertising. NewMediaRockstars.com provides this data and also points out the success of the viral YouTube campaign for Old Spice (I mean, who didn't watch that video?). And apparently it worked - sales reportedly increased by over 100 percent.
Based on the rapid uptake of this medium, it's clear that advertisers are seeing great value in advertising with online video and embracing the era of connected TV.
Simultaneous TV/Web Usage Jumps
In a sign that TV and the internet are starting to converge in viewers’ consciousness, more people spent more time simultaneously viewing the internet and TV in December 2009 than in June 2009 or December 2008, according to the Three Screens Report from The Nielsen Company .
In December 2009, 59% of Americans used TV and the internet simultaneously, compared to 56.9% in June 2009 and 57.5% in December 2008. On a year-over-year basis, participation in this activity increased 2.7%.
Counting individual users, 134,056 Americans used TV and the internet simultaneously in December 2009. This compares to 128,047 in June 2009 and 128,167 in December 2008. On a year-over-year basis, the number of people using TV and the internet simultaneously increased 4.6%.
No one can doubt the mass reach that television enables, but the truth is the online channel is now beginning to offer that same level of audience reach - but with arguably better engagement and offers. And almost always at a more affordable price.
Users are also spending more time online than ever before. It depends who's releasing the report (e.g., Nielsen or an online publisher like Yahoo), but some studies show that online media consumption has now surpassed TV viewing. As reported by MSNBC, this is most certainly true of teens and young adults, with time spent online now surpassing time spent watching TV or talking on the phone.
And the advertisers follow the eyeballs. Online advertising has been rapidly encroaching on traditional media's portion of the media mix pie for the last several years. And according to Forrester , spending on online advertising is in fact set to eclipse TV spends by 2016.
And according to several studies, these online viewers may be more engaged and have higher ad recall than those watching TV commercials. The same report by Nielsen found that premium online video ads had better brand impact metrics than traditional TV ads, including brand recall, message recall, and likeability.
Additionally, a 2012 survey by BrightRoll found that 64 percent of advertisers surveyed said that online video advertising is equally or more effective than ads on television. And 87 percent said that video was more effective than display advertising. NewMediaRockstars.com provides this data and also points out the success of the viral YouTube campaign for Old Spice (I mean, who didn't watch that video?). And apparently it worked - sales reportedly increased by over 100 percent.
Based on the rapid uptake of this medium, it's clear that advertisers are seeing great value in advertising with online video and embracing the era of connected TV.
Social Media
Not too long ago management consultants told business owners that they needed a website to succeed in business. Now many recommend a website and a social media policy that includes Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter and YouTube.
A business needs to be on all of these social media websites. They all do different things. One is fine, two is good, three would be adequate and being on all four would be just right.
The power of communication with a combination of all four social media websites grows exponentially. Why ?
Smart consumers ( the ones smart business people chase ) are mobile. They get about. They shop in physical stores and simultaneously check online to see what people are saying. "Who has the best price. What business has the most recommendations or Which one looks the best?"
Consumers, customers or clients investigate before they make buying choices. Every one of the four most influential social media websites has the capacity to influence buying decisions. A business has to be in the mobile online customer race. Not turning up to the event means that a business misses out on more and more cash.
Buyers of products and services have cash. They decide where to spend it based on what they see.
A business needs to do at least these things on Facebook.
1. It is a bad look not to be on a Facebook business page. Apart from the obvious inability to interact with a potential client, buyers think thoughts like.
2. Start with the basic Facebook start page and then always add extra features like header images with contact details clearly visible embed in the picture. ( Be sure to include the company logo ) Never just leave the basic sign up start page. Take an interest and show potential buyers that you are not ordinary.
3. Post something on the Facebook Business Page every day. Build a dialogue. Create a conversation. Get real life friends to become online Facebook friends in the form of likes. Get them to comment on the posts. Build a community of people who interact with the business on the business page. It is vital. An active up to date Facebook page shows that the business is vibrant. The comments can be testimonials. Buyers like favourable testimonials.
4. Google will visit a business Facebook page and gather all sorts of information that will affect the amount of traffic that is delivered to the page in response to online searches. Make sure that the posts have keywords that are appropriate for the business. "Coffee, Hair, Office Supplies ...."
5. Accumulate "Likes" but do not buy likes. People who sell "Likes" do not come online to post on the Facebook page. Search engines can see the fakes and will either ignore them or worse, penalize the pagerank of the business pages.
6. Link to articles, images and website pages that relate to the business. Remember that Facebook does not restrict the size of posts in the same way that Twitter does. Go for it. Use it. Posts beget comments and social media buzz
Using Twitter to grow a business.
1. Twitter is not a passing fad. It is a part of cyber life. It is a source of news and information. Often it is the source of breaking news that beats the major news businesses. If a business has "news" then Twitter is one place to use to ensure that the news reaches a lot of potential buyers - customers - cash.
2. Followers are great. Twitter people who look forward to a business post on Twitter are called "Followers". They want to hear from the business or its people. Just like real life, you have to talk to people you care about. If you don't, they will opt out of a Twitter feed and will they will no longer get marketing news. Keep the flow of information going. They signed up for it. Deliver it.
3. Follow your followers. Don't just send out Twitter messages. Receive them and respond. Sign up to receive Tweets from the people who were kind enough to "follow". They will have something to say to a business. They will give valuable clues to their likes and dislikes. That information is valuable and it is marketing gems that a business can exploit.
4. Use Twitter to post links to new, valuable and informative new content on the business website.
Using Google Plus to grow a business
1. Google spent a lot of money to create Google Plus. It is brilliant. There is so much to do on Google Plus. There are "Likes" in the form of Plus votes, video chat facilities, advertising opportunities and many ways to interact and categorize contacts. Take the time to learn about Google Plus. It requires a Google account that also permits access to gmail which is also brilliant, indispensable and a valuable communications tool in its own right.
2. Post news about the business to everyone who has signed up.
3. Seek out and read posts by people who interact with a business on Google Plus. Their comments are valuable. They will appreciate the feedback and many will return the favor by becoming buyers, customers or clients.
4. Use Google Plus to have video conferences. Present news, new products and a weekly bulletin with news that customers want. It can be the communications hub of a business.
Using YouTube to grow a business.
1. You tube is the perfect place to host business news videos. Compile catalogs. Create videos ( cheaply on an iphone ) and upload them to YouTube on a channel linked to a business gmail and Google Plus account. Be sure to embed videos from YouTube to the business' website to reach more customers.
2. More people visit YouTube than any business website, so be where the people ( customers ) are ( Constantly ) .
3. Actually create content for YouTube. Do not just send junk up there.
4. A business will have a free talking sales person if they put well planned and produced advertising on YouTube.
5. It is a perfect medium to introduce a business and its people.
6. Create and post new video content weekly. It keeps people thinking about the business and its products.
Social Media advertising
A business should take advantage of the advertising opportunities offered by Google and Facebook. They send messages to potential buyers in a very targeted way. The cost is not high when the lifetime value of a customer sourced from Adwords or Facebook advertising.
Summary
Social media does takes work. It is not easy. For a business it can be expensive. The cost of not using it is too much to pay. Business managers that "do social media" will gain turnover, friends, loyal customers, profits, asset value and respect.
Don't be insincere. Don't talk tripe in social media. People can spot insincerity instantly. Only post valuable information.
Post links to the posts, information and content on a business' four social media outlets.o that people ( potential and actual buyers ) can float between them seamlessly. There is a flow.. Website to social media and back and forwards. It is information circulation that picks up customers on the way like a cyber recruiting drive. It is all free to use. Money for nothing from new social media friends ( customers )
Social media is not private. Google indexes everything. Make sure that only good news is posted by the business. Appoint someone in the organization to monitor social media everyday. Plan B is to appoint a PR firm to do it professionally.
Using Social media in business marketing is something that many people do not know they need to know, until they learn about it! Explore. Start today by finding out more about using Social Media to make money.
A business needs to be on all of these social media websites. They all do different things. One is fine, two is good, three would be adequate and being on all four would be just right.
The power of communication with a combination of all four social media websites grows exponentially. Why ?
Smart consumers ( the ones smart business people chase ) are mobile. They get about. They shop in physical stores and simultaneously check online to see what people are saying. "Who has the best price. What business has the most recommendations or Which one looks the best?"
Consumers, customers or clients investigate before they make buying choices. Every one of the four most influential social media websites has the capacity to influence buying decisions. A business has to be in the mobile online customer race. Not turning up to the event means that a business misses out on more and more cash.
Buyers of products and services have cash. They decide where to spend it based on what they see.
A business needs to do at least these things on Facebook.
1. It is a bad look not to be on a Facebook business page. Apart from the obvious inability to interact with a potential client, buyers think thoughts like.
2. Start with the basic Facebook start page and then always add extra features like header images with contact details clearly visible embed in the picture. ( Be sure to include the company logo ) Never just leave the basic sign up start page. Take an interest and show potential buyers that you are not ordinary.
3. Post something on the Facebook Business Page every day. Build a dialogue. Create a conversation. Get real life friends to become online Facebook friends in the form of likes. Get them to comment on the posts. Build a community of people who interact with the business on the business page. It is vital. An active up to date Facebook page shows that the business is vibrant. The comments can be testimonials. Buyers like favourable testimonials.
4. Google will visit a business Facebook page and gather all sorts of information that will affect the amount of traffic that is delivered to the page in response to online searches. Make sure that the posts have keywords that are appropriate for the business. "Coffee, Hair, Office Supplies ...."
5. Accumulate "Likes" but do not buy likes. People who sell "Likes" do not come online to post on the Facebook page. Search engines can see the fakes and will either ignore them or worse, penalize the pagerank of the business pages.
6. Link to articles, images and website pages that relate to the business. Remember that Facebook does not restrict the size of posts in the same way that Twitter does. Go for it. Use it. Posts beget comments and social media buzz
Using Twitter to grow a business.
1. Twitter is not a passing fad. It is a part of cyber life. It is a source of news and information. Often it is the source of breaking news that beats the major news businesses. If a business has "news" then Twitter is one place to use to ensure that the news reaches a lot of potential buyers - customers - cash.
2. Followers are great. Twitter people who look forward to a business post on Twitter are called "Followers". They want to hear from the business or its people. Just like real life, you have to talk to people you care about. If you don't, they will opt out of a Twitter feed and will they will no longer get marketing news. Keep the flow of information going. They signed up for it. Deliver it.
3. Follow your followers. Don't just send out Twitter messages. Receive them and respond. Sign up to receive Tweets from the people who were kind enough to "follow". They will have something to say to a business. They will give valuable clues to their likes and dislikes. That information is valuable and it is marketing gems that a business can exploit.
4. Use Twitter to post links to new, valuable and informative new content on the business website.
Using Google Plus to grow a business
1. Google spent a lot of money to create Google Plus. It is brilliant. There is so much to do on Google Plus. There are "Likes" in the form of Plus votes, video chat facilities, advertising opportunities and many ways to interact and categorize contacts. Take the time to learn about Google Plus. It requires a Google account that also permits access to gmail which is also brilliant, indispensable and a valuable communications tool in its own right.
2. Post news about the business to everyone who has signed up.
3. Seek out and read posts by people who interact with a business on Google Plus. Their comments are valuable. They will appreciate the feedback and many will return the favor by becoming buyers, customers or clients.
4. Use Google Plus to have video conferences. Present news, new products and a weekly bulletin with news that customers want. It can be the communications hub of a business.
Using YouTube to grow a business.
1. You tube is the perfect place to host business news videos. Compile catalogs. Create videos ( cheaply on an iphone ) and upload them to YouTube on a channel linked to a business gmail and Google Plus account. Be sure to embed videos from YouTube to the business' website to reach more customers.
2. More people visit YouTube than any business website, so be where the people ( customers ) are ( Constantly ) .
3. Actually create content for YouTube. Do not just send junk up there.
4. A business will have a free talking sales person if they put well planned and produced advertising on YouTube.
5. It is a perfect medium to introduce a business and its people.
6. Create and post new video content weekly. It keeps people thinking about the business and its products.
Social Media advertising
A business should take advantage of the advertising opportunities offered by Google and Facebook. They send messages to potential buyers in a very targeted way. The cost is not high when the lifetime value of a customer sourced from Adwords or Facebook advertising.
Summary
Social media does takes work. It is not easy. For a business it can be expensive. The cost of not using it is too much to pay. Business managers that "do social media" will gain turnover, friends, loyal customers, profits, asset value and respect.
Don't be insincere. Don't talk tripe in social media. People can spot insincerity instantly. Only post valuable information.
Post links to the posts, information and content on a business' four social media outlets.o that people ( potential and actual buyers ) can float between them seamlessly. There is a flow.. Website to social media and back and forwards. It is information circulation that picks up customers on the way like a cyber recruiting drive. It is all free to use. Money for nothing from new social media friends ( customers )
Social media is not private. Google indexes everything. Make sure that only good news is posted by the business. Appoint someone in the organization to monitor social media everyday. Plan B is to appoint a PR firm to do it professionally.
Using Social media in business marketing is something that many people do not know they need to know, until they learn about it! Explore. Start today by finding out more about using Social Media to make money.