I came across this post a few weeks ago, and it’s been constantly on my mind at work, in meetings, on the drive home, on the walk to afternoon coffee, in the shower and everywhere else where thoughts happen. Mr. Hunt sums up everything I try to get across to my clients, and says it in a way far simpler than I could ever say it: there is nobody in the lobby.
We still encounter those clients who believe their beautiful web site is the end-all-be-all of their online presence. Yes, the site is well crafted with cues and calls to action; optimized and validated; Google friendly and image-tagged. Meanwhile, their customers, clients and partners are out there having conversations about them and without them. While vital, their company’s beautiful website is only a short stop on the way to having a true online presence. It’s the lobby. Social media has to be part of an effective internet marketing strategy.
While social media can seem like an intensely confusing venture, there are some simple and effective basics that can serve as an effective starting point to craft and maintain a proper online presence. Louis Gray has a fine cache of tools to focus on before you get lost in the crazy maze of social media:
• Blogs that you manage.
• RSS feed reader.
• Microblogging identities.
• Business networking tools.
• Accounts on social networks.
• Accounts on a service aggregator or lifestream.
That may seem like a lot, but in reality, it’s as important and effective as any marketing. Social media is where the conversations are happening. So, in order to remain vital, and fill up your lobby, it’s important to go where those conversations are happening, and maybe even lead a conversation or two.
-Ben
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