Forrester Consumer Forum follow-up
After two days at the Forrester Consumer Forum in Chicago, one thing became painfully clear to me: A lot of marketing folks, most of whom are probably quite smart, still have no idea what the heck social media even is.
Throughout the conference, I heard some very simple questions asked by the audience about social media and it was clear, for example, that:
1) They had never been on Facebook
2) They had never even heard of Twitter.
If marketers are to be successful navigators in the social media world, they must first explore it. Sign up for Facebook. Sign up for Twitter. Sign up for del.icio.us. Sign up for whatever your heart desires.
Bottom line, see what these portals can do for you.
And If you have no use for social media right now, don't force it. I do, however, recommend keeping up with Mashable, a comprehensive news blog on social media. This way, you can keep up with new Facebook application launches and Web 2.0 start-ups.
(Of course, you should also subscribe to the Marketing News blog. Hooray, shameless self-promotion!)
Comments
Daniel:
Remember, promotion is only shameless if the object being promoted has no value.
I would agree that marketers (or at least those who attend conferences) are not clued in to social media, social networks or any other tool in the Web 2.0 vein.
I came to this conclusion after attending MediaPost's OMMA NY conference in September and found myself having to explain concepts behind community and social bookmarking, etc. Anyway, it would seem like an opportunity for the AMA to include Web 2.0-related topics in their programming.
Posted by: Jacqui Chew | October 16, 2007 6:31 AM
Jacqui,
Here are the programs on social media offered by the AMA.
Beyond Marketing 2.0: Harnessing the Power of Social Media for Marketing Campaign Results
TechnoMarketing: Using the Tools and Technology of Tomorrow to Reach Your Customers Today
Posted by: Andrew | October 16, 2007 4:25 PM
Hi Andrew.
Wanted to let you know that the AMA is doing a fine job of bringing social media to the forefront. In addition to the webinars you mention above, there are many options for "live" training.
I just attended the '07 Marketing Workshop in Scottsdale and was thrilled with Toby Bloomberg's tutorial, "The Good, The Blog and the Ugly!" I definitely would have listened to her speak for an entire day. She's very enthusiastic in her approach and brought social media to a level that could be understood by participants in unfamiliar territory.
Thank you.
Posted by: Deborah Testa | October 23, 2007 7:44 AM
I think that business is definitely defined, at least in the US, by the networks we establish, maintain and grow. Ultimately, social media is a growing communications channel that marketers, young and old, must weave into the fabric of their strategy.
Posted by: Kristen Crump | October 23, 2007 9:27 AM
I agree. The question is, how much can older marketers really figure out--at least before they retire?
Posted by: Daniel B. Honigman | November 2, 2007 2:17 PM