Each year MetroStar provides its employees opportunities to attend conferences and workshops to learn about new trends. It’s part of MetroStar’s Individual Career Development Program, which helps its employees nurture and grow their skills. This year I had to pleasure of attending the Corporate Social Media Summit (#CSMNY) held in NYC by Useful Social Media. While every speaker had a unique story to share illustrating how their organization engages via social media, there were some common themes throughout the 2-day summit. Below are a few that stood out to me.
- Social media should not be siloed from other departments: The social media team should work with other departments to develop and post content. These departments include: marketing, corporate communications, public relations, customer service and legal/compliance. Work with all departments to see how to best utilize social media. Loop legal/compliance in when need be to ensure you dot all your i’s and cross your t’s.
- Use social media to humanize your brand: Stop selling and start sharing. Use social media as an outlet to tell your organization’s story. Humanize your brand and earn the right to monetize social media outlets and introduce your product or services to your audience.
- Fans drive content, not your social media team: While your team can help in facilitating a conversation, your fans should be driving the conversation. Cater to what their interests are and help keep the conversation going. Ask them for what they want to talk about, allow them to create content and to take part in a dialogue with your company and other fans.
Overall it was a great summit. I came back with some new perspectives and neat ideas to share with the Team. I look forward to implementing these ideas this year and seeing what’s next for social media.