Twitter is not just for the kids. Smart business tweeters know that the network is a great tool in promotion, brand recognition and customer interaction. The same goes for other social media outlets – the number of them growing by the day. Read on to find out more.
Someone should send the boss a memo.
The social media branding firm BRANDfog recently unveiled results to a survey regarding CEOs and other C-suite leaders. The respondents said that CEOs and other company leaders that use platforms like Twitter effectively are regarded more highly by customers and their employees. Of the respondents, 86 percent said that CEO involvement in social media campaigns is “somewhat important” to “mission-critical.” Here are some of the other findings:
- 71% said that brand recognition and image improved with social media savvy company leadership
- 64% felt that more transparency was present when company executives communicated through social media platforms
- 77% of respondents said they were more likely to do business with a company whose leadership team used social media to carve out company values
- 78% believed that better communication is established when CEOs engage in social media
- A whopping 94% said that a company with social media-friendly executives contributed to a better brand image
So it seems like a relatively easy concept, right? The guys and gals making the big bucks need to spend a few minutes every day tweeting, updating statuses and accepting friend requests. According to The CMO Council, however, executives are slower to pick up emerging web technologies than their employees. It is a trend that presents significant roadblocks for companies trying to compete in a rapidly-growing, social-media-heavy marketplace. In order to reap the many benefits survey respondents mentioned, company leaders need to stop stalling and get onboard the social media technology train for their internet advertising efforts.
And then there’s this…
Use of social media is not the only way CEOS and other executives can help their business compete in the increasingly digital economy. Expressing the value of social media campaigns to other employees is also vital to a company’s success. A MIT Sloan Management Review research report entitled “Social Business: What Are Companies Really Doing?” found that the success of the social aspect of a business relies directly on the involvement of company leaders. When the head honchos made social media branding a priority, employees followed suit with exponential results.
The report suggests that some experimentation is needed before a company can develop a social media game plan. Once one is in place, metrics should be used to measure the effectiveness of social media campaigns in order to make the best use of company time. In other words, for some companies, Twitter may be for the birds but an industry-specific social network may work wonders.
So what are the takeaways from all these facts and figures?
- Social media IS important in business promotion and brand image
- CEOs and other members of the C-Suite need to embrace social media technology and use it often
- Employees have more confidence in company executives that communicate through social media platforms
- Metric systems should be developed in order to determine the effectiveness of social media in business activity
- Companies perform better all-around with the aid of social media
A good leader is one that sees trends in his or her industry and adapts to them. A great leader is one that encourages employees to Tweets about it.
Megan Totka is the Chief Editor for ChamberofCommerce.com. She has spent time producing content for major media news outlets in Atlanta and Houston.
