Brand Focus #6: The Power of a Common Cause Using #SocialMedia

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July 12, 2011

You may have heard of many stories on how powerful social media platforms are to drive causes such as the Pepsi Refresh Project that rewards individuals with refreshing ideas or the Fair Tweets campaign by Ben & Jerry’s. What do they all have in common? 1. A great cause 2. An innovative idea and 3. Huge participation that led to success.

While there isn’t a success formula that you can reproduce, the one thing that stands among all successful marketing campaigns or causes is that there is something for others to talk about – a common passion, a common interest, a common curiosity or even a common anger like the recent lashings against designer brand Versace.

Having that said, it is not the level of innovation that draws people together (although it contributes to its success) but the level of the common ground established.

The Power of a Identifying a Common Goal / Cause on Social Media

A community is a powerful ‘being’, be it offline or online and today’s social media networks makes it so easy for one to start their own community. It is no wonder why businesses jump unto the bandwagon almost immediately as they recognize the need and the power of having their very own community.

It was all over the news – Malaysia, the country I live in became famous over the weekend as it was broadcasted globally due to a recent event named Bersih (clean) which involved a peaceful rally in the heart of Kuala Lumpur demanding for a fair and clean upcoming election. You may have only heard about it and perhaps are aware of what happened during the rally but what caught my interest most was how the entire cause was promoted heavily over social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter weeks before.

You’ll realize that the cause not only drew close to 160,000 fans but people also spread the cause willingly because it was something they can relate and resonate with, to the extend that they opted to place a badge on their display pictures (as seen in the screen shot above) to indicate their support.

What happened on Twitter? Well, you can simply search the hashtag #bersih to find out for yourself. All I can say is that the tweets flew by so quickly that I can’t even read them (and I thought I was well trained on #blogchat).

On top of that, Malaysians in other countries such as Taiwan, Melbourne and Singapore also ‘participated’ in the rally by gathering where they’re at to show their support. The medium of communication? Social media. Live updates on Facebook, Twitter and even recorded videos on YouTube.

From a business viewpoint, that is definitely a success story as word-of-mouth has taken its course and in this case, internationally.

What is it in your cause that causes others to resonate?

This is the question you should be asking yourself whatever your cause is, profit or not.

What makes others passionate about the cause? What is it that causes others to feel the same? Could it be empathy? Could it be anger? Could it be pride? Could it be fun?

Have that answered, then all that’s left is to identify the right communication medium to spread the word.

Is there a specific cause that strikes you the most? What is it that draws you to it?

Is #SocialMedia The Culprit for The Growing Yet Shrinking Web?

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July 7, 2011

| Jan Wong

So I recently came across this article and it really got me thinking – is the world wide web as we know it shrinking?

A quick overview of the estimated size of Google’s index reveals that there are about 45 billion webpages to date and is showing no signs of stopping. The numbers aren’t surprising as websites have become so affordable and easy to setup throughout the years especially with the introduction of blogs and microblogs.

So why is the web also shrinking?

Sure, it may not seem like it in size but do think about it – how much of the web do you actually explore in a day? Let’s see… I go on Gmail, Facebook, PostRank, Buffer and perhaps 10 blog articles regularly on a daily basis and it would seem that I’m not the only one. ComScore actually reported that people actually use Facebook a whole LOT more than other websites:

In other words, social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter may have (or already have) been replacing the need to discover other websites while enhancing the ability to discover content from all over the world. No longer people are required to look into directories or portals but yet able to remain updated through various social media channels – whether it is Facebook’s News Feed or Twitter’s Timeline.

To be honest, I spend even more time on TweetDeck which allows me to discover even more content than what I could possibly absorb in a single day without having the need to Google.

What do I think?

Social Media as the Gateway to Discovering Content

I don’t know about you but I do not see social media overtaking /shrinking the web but rather as a gateway to discover even more content. It may be shrinking the door to the web since many people I know start out the web by first subscribing for an email account (mostly Gmail), followed by a Facebook account and they’ll stay like that at least for a while but through that door there are content, content and even more content.

What does it mean to you?

1. Stop watching. Start connecting! If you’ve only been sitting on the sidelines watching all the action, it is time for you to get connected. Start talking to those with similar interests and you’ll find that it is not that difficult after all! There are tons of #hashtags on Twitter to get you started on this one.

2. Create your own content. When you’re feeling a little more confident, perhaps it’s time for you to create your own content. Yes, to contribute back to the masses of information in the web and yes, even you have something you can share – be it based on a passion, an interest on a specific topic or simply a hobby.

3. Maximize content discovery. Don’t just sit and wait for great content to appear on your news feed. If you’ve found one, subscribe to it to stay updated. If you’re on Twitter, creating lists is a great way to organize your busy timeline into different groups.

4. Don’t be stingy. Share that great content you’ve found! It’s only a click away.

Perhaps the right question to ask is: How do you discover information from the web? Which are the sites you go on to every day? How are you maximizing your time on the web?

The Digital Economy

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June 9, 2011

| Jan Wong

The economy as we all know relies a lot on trades, in other words, buying and selling – the focus is on the money. Is that all there is to the economy?

“Economy is also defined as: The wealth and resources of a country or region, esp. in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services” – Google definitions

I would like to suggest that there’s more to that today – in this digital economy.

What drives the digital economy?

#1: People

Erik Qualman mentioned in his book “Socialnomics” that social media is a people-driven economy that will change the way we live and do business – no longer a ‘toy’ for kids anymore.

Relationships and networks, that’s what the digital economy is all about and both cannot be bought with money alone. It takes time, effort and commitment and buying fans / followers won’t speed up the process. Think about it – gone were the days where people were influenced by well-crafted sales pitches. It’s all about real, human recommendations. That’s where comments, ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ come in and many businesses have seen (and reap) the benefits.

#2: Integration

This is an era of integration. You see the latest electronic devices being integrated with so many functions from touch screens, web browsing capabilities, cameras, GPS and even near field communication functions. In business, you see companies merging together to achieve competitive advantage and outsourcing somewhat becomes a norm unlike before where companies hire their own developers, support teams and graphic designers.

This is also true in advertising / marketing campaigns. Companies are using what I call integrated media, combining both social and conventional media for better reach, control and effectiveness. Printed ads are no longer limited to static information with QR (Quick Response) or AR (Augmented Reality) codes; customer interaction goes beyond phone and email support with the inclusion of social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook; events become more interesting with visitors literally ‘liking’ a particular product / display on the spot!

#3: Minimalists

Businesses and companies are moving towards the minimalistic approach. Today’s websites are a good indication – most websites are clutter free unlike before where they are overloaded with information. They understand that more is not necessarily better thus small businesses are also becoming more focused, from total solution providers to specialized solution providers.

Is your business ready for the digital economy? What are your thoughts on the digital economy? How will it evolve further?

Why You Should Forget About Conventional #Marketing

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May 29, 2011

| Jan Wong

Every business on this planet is fighting for attention, trying to sell a product or service to the consumers and sometimes it just backfires despite your effort. So why market your product? Don’t bother producing promotional campaigns – you’re wasting your money and here’s why:

#1: Consumers Don’t Care About You

And they really don’t. In the eyes of the consumers, you’re just ANOTHER product / brand. Yes, you may be the best among all but think about it – your competitors are shouting the very same message and this will result in a long, and perhaps an unfavorable journey for your business, simply because it will take time for the consumers to consider your message, evaluate and compare them with your competitors.

#2: Consumers Are Surrounded With Marketing Campaigns (and Gimmicks)

You can look at the outcome from two perspectives:

1. Consumers today are better decision makers – they tend to research and ask around for opinions before purchasing.
2. Consumers today had it enough with marketing campaigns – they simply avoid you (see short video here).

Neither outcome favors you as an marketer, especially when your business is new – budget constrains and lacking in credibility.

#3: Consumers Want Solutions

“Enough of selling! How about giving me a solution to my problem instead?”

Today’s consumers had it tough. Not only they have to put up with marketing spams, they have their own problems to attend to as well and all they want is a solution to their problems. If your marketing campaign only talks about your product, give it up – consumers won’t buy-in.

Going Beyond Marketing – to Creating an Experience

Instead of talking, why not try listening to understand what is it that the consumer wants rather than assuming? While it may be difficult to reach out to consumers before, social media platforms have made it easy today. Focus on creating an experience with the consumers instead of pushing the product to the consumer and you’ll see the difference as below:

The lines in grey illustrates the processes involved in the conventional consumer purchasing funnel and the one in red shows how powerful a bond / relationship with the consumer can be. It builds confidence among the consumers allowing them to jump into purchase – more powerful than conventional marketing efforts.

It Takes Time

I’m no way suggesting that this method is a shortcut to success. It takes time to build a bond with the consumers but its effect may be greater than conventional marketing efforts and social media makes it possible. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are great tools to approach the consumers because they are already on it. Approach them like how you would to approach a friend without being pitchy.

5 Things to remember when approaching consumers on social media:

1. You’re there to offer a solution to their pain.
2. You’re there to build relationships.
3. You’re there to give value.
4. You’re there to ultimately convert them into advocates.
5. You’re there to listen.

It’s time to do away with conventional marketing and let the ‘human’ do the job. Let people drive your business, not products.

What are your thoughts on conventional marketing vs social media marketing? Does the buying power solely rests on the consumers themselves now?

diagrams adapted from: Harvard Business Review.

5 Reasons Why #SocialMedia Contradicts Conventional Media Marketing

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May 26, 2011

| Jan Wong

The more I dive deeper into social media, the more I see how different is marketing today compared to before with the usage of various social media tools and platforms. The conventional way of ‘mass marketing’ or ‘mass advertising’ don’t seem to work that effectively anymore and even some small business owners are beginning to explore this new ‘thing’ called social media.

Before we go further, there’s this VERY interesting video on YouTube that you HAVE TO watch:

Interesting huh? With those thoughts on your mind, here are the 5 reasons why social media marketing contradicts conventional marketing methods:

#1: Conventional Marketing Says TALK. Social Media Marketing Says LISTEN.

Just like the video above, conventional marketing does all the talking and they’ll just go on and on to promote their products and brand just like how this sentence will go on and on without any punctuations and you’ll have to read the entire sentence in one breath and yet it still does not end because they’ll want you to buy and if you don’t they’ll keep talking and talking.

In other words, it’s just a ONE way relationship. Consumers today respond better to conversations. Remember, a conversation is TWO way. Before you click that “update” button, think – will YOU as a consumer respond to a post / update / tweet like that? How does that reflect you as a business? Is it too pitchy? Are you giving an opportunity for your followers to respond?

#2: Conventional Marketing Says KEEP. Social Media Marketing Says SHARE.

Content used to be exclusive. My research is mine. My video is mine. My article is mine. My statements are mine. Can’t blame them though, there isn’t any content sharing platform back then. However, such content were considered as trade secrets and even employees are not told of it.

Today, social media marketing is all about sharing. It is about getting as many people to share the message as possible. Call to actions are no longer limited to “Enter Your Email to Win Prizes” but to “Share This With As Many Friends As Possible to Win”. Companies are even creating content solely for sharing purposes – through SEO (you want to share your content), viral videos, contests and more!

#3: Conventional Marketing Says SELL. Social Media Marketing Says GIVE.

Conventional marketing focuses on the money. You have to pay if you want something from me. Makes sense, right? However in social media marketing, it’s all about giving, and believing in the philosophy of ‘givers gain’. Giving does not necessarily mean money, but VALUE. This can be done through information, service, support and even conversations to keep that relationship with your consumers alive.

#4: MONEY Determines Conventional Marketing. ENGAGEMENT Determines Social Media Marketing.

The rich becomes richer and the poor poorer in conventional marketing. Big corporations have millions of dollars every year to put up huge marketing campaigns with their brand plastered on every wall, ceiling, car and walkways, so much so that it feels as though they dropped a bomb in a city and yes, they do get the word out rather effectively – with a lot of money.

Not so on social media platforms. Money helps, but it does not necessarily produce results. The engagement and relationship speaks louder on social media. Think about it – what is it that really makes a content viral? The content? Or the consumers? The consumers make it happen. Yes, you can purchase fans and followers but that is equivalent of hiring a delivery boy to hand out your flyers and that does not go very well on social media.

This is where smaller businesses stand a chance against the big guys.

#5: Conventional Marketing Says QUANTITY. Social Media Marketing Says QUALITY.

Now this is an interesting one. Many have spoken on this before and I, too have written an article about quality isn’t exactly everything on social media networks (yes, I believe quantity matters, too!). However when it comes to conventional marketing, quantity ALWAYS matters. Think about it: the number of flyers, brochures, airtime, commercial spots, newspaper advertisements, coupons to giveaway, buntings, billboards… you get the drift.

Social media marketing on the other hand, aims for quality. Quality articles that educates, quality fans and followers that become your brand advocates, quality updates to drive conversations and quality conversations to build relationships.

Moving Forward

Recently I met with a potential client that just could not comprehend why would people blog to share personal / company information, update their status so that others would know what they’re up to and ‘check-in’ so that people could stalk them. He knows he needs to ‘do’ social media but just can’t get the reason why are people so into it.

Having looked at all that, it is clear that social media marketing really DOES NOT make sense to a conventional marketer. If you’ve been wondering why is it so difficult to convince an “experienced” marketer in your company (or client) to adopt social media methods, it is because it does not make sense to them.

It’s sharing time! Are there any other areas that conventional marketing efforts contradicts social media marketing? Do leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

Websites vs Blogs: Which is More Superior?

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May 24, 2011

| Jan Wong

I’ve been on #TweetDiner (a weekly chat on Twitter) for about a month now and it has been really awesome thus far! Met a number of great people and have definitely learnt quite a bit from fellow diners. If you do not know how it works, we have a topic every week and we’ve been talking about LinkedIn last month and today we started on the series of Blogging (click here to see what’s coming up next).

While discussing about Blogs, there was a mini discussion about the differences between a Blog and a Website. How different is a Blog from a Website? Should every business Blog? Is a Blog a Website?

A quick ‘define’ function on Google tells us that:

A blog is a personal website on which an individual records opinion, links to other sites, etc. on a regular basis.

A website is a location connected to the Internet that maintains one or more pages on the World Wide Web.

What does this mean?

To me, this means that Blogs are merely a subset of a Website, in which a Website encompasses everything on the Internet – from Blogs, Forums, Social Networking Sites, Search Engines, Shopping Carts and etc. In other words, Blogs, Forums and Social Networking Sites are merely functions to a Website.

Blogs

Blogs in general operates as a Content Management System (CMS). If you were one of those that had a GeoCities site years ago, you were technically already “blogging” back then. The term ‘Blog’ only came into being when people started keeping online (or web) journals (or logs) on different Websites. Having said that, it is no wonder a Blog allows you to create, manage and publish contents so easily – just like what a CMS does.

Websites

Here comes the tricky part. True, traditional websites are built to have static information on what we call HTML. Content updating was a tiresome task and requires technical skills to do so which is why web designers earn up to RM10,000 (about USD3,000) back then for a simple HTML website. As technology grew, people found a way to update content the easier (and cheaper) way – through CMS.

W3Techs: Research shows that WordPress is the most widely used CMS

Which Reigns Superior?

As you can see, that is an unfair comparison. Websites encompasses (and can be a combination) of everything which is naturally more superior to Blogs.

Should / Can A Company Use a Blog as their Website?

PLEASE DO. An ordinary user may only look at WordPress as a publishing (i.e. Blog) tool. Did you know that that very same blogging tool you have holds great power (sorry, couldn’t resist that one)?

Let’s take a look at some examples of companies using WordPress as their Website, both old and new:

Interesting, no?

Some of these sites don’t even look like a Blog! How do we know it is WordPress? Simple. Simply right click on any Website and select “View Page Source”. You’ll be presented with a whole bunch of codes somewhat like below:

Some sites choose to rename the path to something else but if you’re familiar with the codes WordPress uses, you may be able to spot which is and which is not :)

3 Reasons Why You Want to Use WordPress As Your Website

#1: It’s Easy To Get Started

Head over to www.WordPress.org and you’ll know what I mean. Installing WordPress is as easy 1-2-3, within 5 minutes! It’s all about downloading the file, uploading it to your web host, put in your details and that’s about it. There’s even a VERY detailed guide to guide you on it. You’ll no longer need a web developer to do the job.

#2: It’s Easy to Manage

With WordPress as your CMS, you can now add your company’s content to it just like how you’re blogging. If you’re not ready to roll out periodic updates, play with the ‘Pages’ and put up the necessities – “About Us”, “Contact Us”, “Our Services” and etc.

#3: It’s Easy to Grow

Getting tired of your Website? Change the theme simply by downloading a new one, adding new functionalities with WordPress Plugins, Widgets and more! If you didn’t know, there are Plugins for inventory management, shopping cart, community membership and a whole lot more.

What are your thoughts on using WordPress as a corporate site? Have you used WordPress for other purposes other than blogging?

credits to: 1stwebdesigner.com

5 #SocialMedia Lessons We Can Learn From The Dot-com Boom (and bust!)

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May 22, 2011

| Jan Wong

A few days ago I posted an article about how we’ve move away from the ‘E’ to the ‘Social’ era and it is interesting to note how far have we came since those days. I’m definitely happy to have witnessed the beginning of the Internet, the glorious days of Netscape Navigator (it was THE web browser, if you didn’t know), the rise of ICQ and the list goes on.

Looking back at those times, there are 5 lessons we can actually learn from to be applied in today’s ‘social’ world.

Lesson #1: Only The Fools Rush In

I personally know of someone that bought many domain names during the dot-com boom at a hefty price. He was convinced that they’re going to sell because he saw the potential of the internet. Some of these domain names were pretty good (and we’ve seen how people have been making big bucks of it) so he held on to them, just waiting for the right time.. until today – and it’s still there.

It is no longer a time where the number of accounts / websites you have make you look good. In fact, it hardly even matters anymore. It is all about having the right tools to do the right job. Don’t get me wrong – I have nothing against securing long-tail-keyworded domain names, unique Twitter handles or Facebook usernames but the question is: does that help you in achieving your goals or will it merely pull you down? Understand where your target audience is and focus in making that work for you and your customers.

Lesson #2: It’s Just Not a Numbers Game

Now, you may be thinking that it is still a numbers game as metrics such as number of unique visitors, click throughs, retweets and shares are important in measuring ROI on social media. That’s true, to a certain extent. However, most businesses today are looking towards the level of engagement you have on social media.

In other words, you may have 1,000 page views per day but if you’re unable to receive any kind of response (e.g. retweets, shares or comments), it still does not justify anything. Same goes to the number of followers or the number of fans on your Facebook page. It’s the level of engagement that counts and the number is secondary. Focus on building relationships with your customers by catching up with them every once in awhile.

Lesson #3: The Stakes are Higher

Gone were the days that you can simply start a business website, ignore the customers and yet make sales. With social networks kicking in, the news can travel within literally a click of a button. Social media has empowered customers to be more vocal and open with their thoughts, which can be both advantageous and detrimental to your business.

Which side do you want to be on? I’d prefer the former. If you’re like me, you would definitely want to listen to what the customers have to say and get them talking positively about you.

Lesson #4: It is No Longer About You

Your website looks impressive. You’ve utilized text, images and videos effectively and you have stated all your strengths and abilities to the very best – in fact, you look like an expert, second to none in the industry. What’s your social presence / credibility? Zero. You can talk about yourself all that you want on your website, Facebook and Twitter accounts but customers do not care. Rather, they’ll run away on sight.

Customers have become the focal point in every brand / business that is online. What good is your expertise if there’s nobody to share it with? Use your expertise to provide value to the network and you’ll be amazed with what you’ll receive in the long run. If you’re a consultant, blogs and webinars may be a good platform. If you’re in retail, Twitter and Facebook may help you get your products out faster than you would think, especially if you make it share-worthy, minus the sales pitch. See @geekbabe’s experience with Pretzel Crisps!

Lesson #5: Sharing is Caring

I don’t know about you but it would seem that most business websites were a little stingy in the past. There was nothing about sharing except Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V and every website kept it’s information to their own. You also end up signing up with tons of websites because they all require you to sign up with them.

While that seemed common back then, it is a whole new world today. Businesses are asking for their content to be shared by putting up share widgets, asking for likes and retweets, RSS allows content to be taken and published elsewhere, even account creation is minimized as many websites now integrate social media logins / verifications through Facebook and Twitter. Businesses see the importance of establishing a presence online today and having a website today becomes a necessity rather than a want.

Is your content shareable? If not, it’s time to make the change!

What in the World is Happening?

This is the social era and much have changed since the ‘E’ days. Businesses are becoming more transparent in their processes and knowledge simply because they realize the importance of providing value to their customers. When will the Social era end? Not soon – because being social is what humans do best. We are made to be social and this may just be the beginning of something bigger.

What have you learnt from the ‘E’ era? What other differences can you spot with today’s Social era? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!

A Simple Way to Score Your #SocialMedia Efforts (even if you’re new!)

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May 3, 2011

| Jan Wong

So I’ve been bombarded with stacks of degree assignments to mark in the past week and strange enough, the painful process of marking actually made me realize something that happens to be relevant to monitoring social media efforts. I can’t speak for other universities but for mine, we follow what we call a marking scheme or a marking grid which outlines the criteria in which the marks are allocated for e.g. Research and Analysis (20%), Flow of Thoughts (10%), Formatting (5%) and etc.

What Does Marking Have Got to Do with Social Media Monitoring?

Interestingly, quite a fair bit. Monitoring has always been a tedious process on social media and many individuals and companies are struggling to monitor the performance of their presence across social media networks. There are many great articles (like these) written on different measurements such as Conversion Rates, Feedbacks, Inbound Links, Unique Visits, Retweets, Clicks and the likes of it but many of these can still be rather complicated for someone new on social media. Also, how do one put all these together?

Is There Anything Simpler?

With the understanding of different individuals or businesses have different priorities and expectations on social media networks, you may want to consider producing a marking grid by 4 simple steps:

#1: Listing down all the criteria that you deem as important. For example, Number of Retweets and Shares, Comments and Feedbacks, Unique Visits, Number of Fans / Followers, Number of Impressions, Number of @Mentions and etc.

#2: Assigning a score to each of the criteria to a total of 100%. For example, Number of Retweets and Shares (10%), Comments and Feedbacks (30%)… you get the drift :)

#3: Set an end goal to each of the criteria (desirable vs non-desirable). This is so that you know how you’re doing throughout. For example, Number of Retweets and Shares – Desirable (>50 Retweets) vs Non-Desirable (<10 Retweets).

#4: Score yourself on a periodic basis. It’ll be great if you can do it weekly, else every two weeks – I won’t recommend going less than once a month. After all, the whole purpose of this is to track your progress, no?

Why You May Want to Consider This (Self-Created) Method

You may be reading this and have been wondering whether this works or whether it is appropriate for your situation. Should you consider a more professional / advanced tool instead of this method? Now, you may definitely require something more advanced than this method especially if you require more complex analysis and information but it can be a great start for you if you’ve just getting started.

Reason 1: It is built to your expectations. You set your own goals that caters to your own situation and environment. If you think that the number of visits to your site isn’t important (e.g. because you prefer to have a small but closely knit community), then assign the criteria with a lower score.

Reason 2: You do not need any fancy software or applications. Pen and paper will do but if you insist on using one, try Excel or any spreadsheet app, it is more than enough.

Reason 3: It is very straight forward. Also perhaps the easiest way to keep track of your progress. This way, you’ll also know where should you put that extra effort instead of just looking at fancy graphs trying to figure out what’s next.

What do you think? Do share with me your thoughts on the idea or even better if you’ve more to share!

Are You Lost on #SocialMedia (even with the tools)?

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May 1, 2011

| Jan Wong

Just a couple of days ago I was traveling downtown for an event. I must admit that I wasn’t sure of the directions as I seldom go by there but I thought it will be okay – with my trusty Google Maps. After all, it has never failed me. I hooked it up, followed its directions confidently… and lo and behold, it led me directly into a one-way street (and I would go against traffic). “Well, it happens”, I thought. A quick recalculation pointed out a new direction… which eventually led me to the same road. To cut the long story short – eventually I was directed out of the vicinity after almost an hour of trial and error.

I was pretty much annoyed and upset over this TOOL I relied on the get me there and it got me thinking – are businesses and individuals today facing similar situations? Yes, you have the tools (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, YouTube, etc) and perhaps even have the guidebook (e.g. how to create compelling content, how to create an awesome Facebook page, etc) but yet unable to get your bearings right?

Are You Lost? 5 Steps to Be Found Again!

#1: Admit That You’re Lost

Sometimes it is difficult to admit that you’re lost. Excuses such as “it doesn’t work for my business” only makes you feel better but it is time to put that ego aside. One thing about social media is that you can never stop learning, especially when it continues to change everyday. Even the pros continue to learn – it is a continuous cycle.

#2: Ask for Directions

It’s time to put away that map or tool (e.g. guidebook) of yours and start talking to people – people that are able to give you advice. The cool thing about social media is that most pros are willing to share their knowledge and expertise. @markwschaefer is one good example with his community {grow}. In other words, it is time to get personal, to communicate, to engage, to get help.

#3: Don’t Take Shortcuts

There really is no shortcut on social media. One said social media is like running a marathon, not a sprint race. You’ll notice that most advice revolves around producing quality content, spending time listening to conversations on Twitter, commenting on blogs, guest posting and etc – all these takes time, it is a race of endurance for lasting results. Buying fans or followers won’t get you anywhere except for boosting your ego. Shortcuts are a no-no.

#4: Test the Directions

This is the simplest step of all but yet the most difficult. Simply because there are many, many out there that either procrastinate, ignorant or simply cannot be bothered with the new directions. Yes, sometimes it may be a detour but as long it gets you there, why not?

#5: Monitor its Results

You need to know how the new directions are working for you. It is only then you’ll be able to gauge its effectiveness (or not) to make adjustments if necessary. A simple tool such as Google Analytics can go a long way if you’re wanting to measure visits to your site.

Have you been lost on social media before? What did you do to get back on track? I’d love to hear your experience!

An Era of Online Commerce in Malaysia: Signs Towards Social Commerce?

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April 26, 2011

| Jan Wong

If I have to talk about an improvement in Malaysia, this has to be of the bigger stuff – it is recently reported that Malaysians spent RM1.8 billion (about USD600 million) in online shopping in 2010, a figure 3 times the amount 3 years ago.

Looking at the published figures, I’m actually not surprised to see travel and bill payments dominating the list but this shows that Malaysians are becoming more open to online payments, something that has been scarcely present in the past years.

So, What Could This Mean?

#1: Increased Consumer Confidence

The consumers are beginning to see and experience how the Internet can benefit them in providing convenience and accessibility to more product options that leads to increased buying power (and knowledge).

#2: Increased Consumer Knowledge

Consumers have grown to accept technology as part of their lives, putting aside the fear of security threats – which was one of the main excuse or hinderance expressed in the past. In fact, I would think that this growth in knowledge is evident as a survey in 2010 revealed that Malaysians spend 9 hours on social networking sites weekly which also suggests the amount of time spent seeking ‘knowledge’. Apart from that, local businesses and companies are also seen to be more incline and receptive towards online marketing than previous years!

#3: Good News for Online Businesses… and the rise of competition

This growth definitely benefit all online businesses as they will be the ones directly benefiting from it but they too, can expect a growth in the number of new competitors. This means that the importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and the usage of social media will also increase as businesses attempt to create a niche to find their footing in the industry.

It’s finally taking off! Is Social Commerce anywhere in sight?

I’ve waited for this day long enough and although I’ve personally been feeling the improvement, this acts as a confirmation. Having that said, it is just a matter of time for social commerce to start in Malaysia itself, especially considering the fact that Malaysians are spending so much time on social media. Couple that with the confidence in online purchase, I can say that Malaysian consumers are close to being ready for social commerce.

What say you? Do the figure show promise or do we still have a long way to go? How has it been where you’re at? I’d love to hear them all!

See the published article online here