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Replies

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  Ofer El-hashahar October 22, 2009 at 12:07pm

  Thank you Craig,
  
  Have not yet read it all, but It seems like you always help to find the right and important things to read.
  
  I am sure it can be another big important tool.
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  Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com October 22, 2009 at 12:40pm

  Thanks for this Craig - took a while to get through but very helpful!
  Hope you are well!
  
  Nicky
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  The Perfumed Garden October 22, 2009 at 6:58pm

  Thanks Craig,
  
  As Nicky said its a bit heavy at times but very interesting. The main issue of course is when does one find the time to do social media?
  
  Simon
• PRO

  Phil Voice October 22, 2009 at 7:14pm

  Interesting on the One Show tonight - a report says that £1.6b is wasted when employees spend time on social networks during work time.
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  Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com October 23, 2009 at 12:18am

  I suppose since social marketing is more or less free, then the time spent on maintaining it is the trade-off. Actually though, once the initial accounts are set up - it takes very little time to keep the machine oiled. And as Dan says LJN is social media but of course we benefit from the time spent here!
  
  Also if this is what the future of marketing in business is to be like - then it pays to at least understand it if not to partake in it initially?
  
  And Phil - there is of course a difference between the marketing value and power that employers and business owners hone from social media to prove their brand, and the general chit-chat that employees partake in keeping up-to-date with their chums? ...By your inclusion of that article, I'm sensing some positive negativity!
  
  Dan Tarleton MSc, BSc (Hons) said:

  LJ is a social media is it not?
  
  The Perfumed Garden said:

  Thanks Craig,
  
  As Nicky said its a bit heavy at times but very interesting. The main issue of course is when does one find the time to do social media?
  
  Simon
• PRO

  Phil Voice October 23, 2009 at 6:01am

  Hi Nicky
  
  "By your inclusion of that article, I'm sensing some positive negativity!"
  
  ...no , just being the messenger :-o)
  
  I am sure there are people out there who are tweeting and wasting works time when they should be working but it is no different to someone using a mobile in the firms time either.
  
  I remember business pre and post mobile and how work patterns changed. I provided phones for key employees - at times, some people were spending an hour a day on personal calls.
  
  We even had one employee who I discovered texting with two phones in his hands - he was addicted to it.
  
  Social media is now an essential tool but like everything else, is open to is-use.
• PRO

  Craig McGinty October 23, 2009 at 6:58am

  LJN is definitely an example of social media, but I think one of the things highlighted by Robin's article is the fact that you can reach out into other corners of the internet.
  
  So for example, when you upload images to LJN you also take a couple of minutes to place them on Flickr.
  
  And there are ways to automate some of this to help save time, see: http://pixelpipe.com/
  
  One way to see if this use of social media tools is a waste of time is to set up simple measurements to provide a bit of a handle on what you are doing, again over to Robin:
  
  measuring the roi of social media... or not
  
  But also Neville Hobson and a piece titled:
  
  Too little measurement
  
  And I would add it is worth following the writing of both these chaps by subscribing to their RSS feeds.
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  The Perfumed Garden October 23, 2009 at 9:49am

  Yes, LJN is social media and I have spent a lot of time reading, learning and occasionally adding a few comments. I believe social media is a way forward for marketing and sales and we have to move with the times if we want to succeed.
  
  2 to 3 years ago we had more staff and I had more time to do marketing as I wasn't on site quite as much, but with the recession we have made cut backs and I am back to being more hands on (not that I mind). Maybe I'll have more time when the nights draw in and after I have updated our web site.
  
  Whats the feed back from people who tweet and use facebook?
• PRO

  Craig McGinty October 23, 2009 at 10:14am

  A Google search on 'business case for Twitter' might provide interesting reading.
  
  An important thing to remember though is that what you are providing for others has to be helpful, insightful and interesting - using the tool itself isn't really the challenge.
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  Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com October 23, 2009 at 10:19am

  Certainly they can cause distraction - but surely that is a matter of self-discipline?
  
  In fact The majority of my last few month's enquiries have said they looked me up on facebook and my blog and all who had done that said they liked it very much. It seems to have proved fruitful for us, and whether it acts as an 'ice-breaker' or as a supporting character profile, it can be used positively. I update my profile as often as I can but it really doesn't take alot of time.
  
  niall gibb said:

  i tweet and use facebook, however facebook has brought me in touch with old friends but done absolutely nothing for business. still cant get my head round twitter don't see the business potential there. I think they are a distraction when pricing work to have a peep and see what's going on.