So was I just about to start working on my written post for my book report when my own situation put me in a position to use a tip from my chosen book.
My book, likeable social media, by Dave Kerpen, peaked my interest from the beginning. It sounded smart and engaging. I found myself running out of time to read, so I purchased the audiobook so I could listen while I worked and when I needed to commute.
The main message in the book was for social media to work, you need to be likeable, be real and be authentic. Basically to get people to like you be a good, be honest and be nice. Funny, don't you think? Kind of the same way how you make friends in real life!
The book constantly paralleled social media tactics to how you would act as a person and that really resonated with me. It also made the idea of social marketing not just a selling tool, but a way to be "good" when you market. Made me think, I just don't want to sell, I want to help. And if you want to help and you put your customers first, you will be successful. The basic simple rule for success in life, in my opinion!
I now know that when I do incorporate social media into my business and part of my services that I offer my clients I want to do it with a real purpose to help, to connect and engage with my target audience. And not just use it solely for means of gaining followers, getting likes or selling the product!
Get people to really like you... and you will get their business.
So the tip I used was using social media to get help from a corporation. I figured if the corporation was using social media the right way (the way the book describes it) I should get service pretty darn quickly. So I listed my issue on their FaceBook Page, being sure to be articulate and not rude, but to let them know I was not getting the service I should as a long time customer. I should also note, this was a problem I had tried to solve earlier via chat online and calling the company. Each time it was not fixed adequately or something else was taken out. However, posting my issue on social media got me the right person and the right solution within two days of posting and withing 4 hours of me responding to their request to message them on FB. Definitely impressed me and proved how social media can really be used well.
Oh, and by the way, my problem was with Bell Canada (collective groans I am sure!) and I was sure to give them kudos for assisting me the same way I complained!

Thanks for reading!


