I find myself asking at various points in my life how did I survive before the Internet, between Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google most anything I need or want is at my beck and call in a few short key strokes; it can be mind blowing.  It is only inevitable that with this current social media revolution the question will be asked, “what does this mean for my business?”

BusinessWeek took a position in 2008 and stated that organizations could “go ahead and bellyache about blogs. But you cannot afford to close your eyes to them, because they’re simply the most explosive outbreak in the information world since the Internet itself. And they’re going to shake up just about every business—including yours. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shipping paper clips, pork bellies, or videos of Britney in a bikini, blogs are a phenomenon that you cannot ignore, postpone, or delegate. Given the changes barreling down upon us, blogs are not a business elective. They’re a prerequisite.” Now that we’ve established social media as a prerequisite, how does a team handle its varying clients with varying needs to create a successful social media campaign?

The answer lies in strategy with a purpose. As writer David Finch acknowledges, social media is more than just a buzzword. There are opportunities and results that are measured which can be extremely beneficial to businesses of all sizes. However, simply knowing how to operate social media tools is not enough to furnish a successful campaign; businesses must become immersed in strategy.

Here are a few of my best practices on creating a successful campaign for any sized business:

• Get creative: Utilize all the resources social media has to offer. Creativity, backed with the speed at which social media moves, can offer unlimited opportunities.
• Research target markets: Where are you engaging? Different demographics use different social media sites. Make the most of your opportunities by using the right channels for your target audiences.
• Be accessible: Consumers build higher trust margins with businesses they believe to be accessible and transparent.
• Provide information: Followers, friends, consumers and associates are utilizing your social media site to access information. Provide it, it will bring a consistent stream of visitors.
• Be engaging: Talk with your clients, consumers, customers let them know their social media channels are a way to connect.

The evolution of social media reminds me of my favorite quote from Hunter S. Thompson: “buy the ticket, take the ride.” Social media strategy requires commitment, but it’s definitely a ride worth taking.

Let us know what you think! How do you strategize for clients on social media relations? How is your organization using social media?

Although social media is such a hot topic right now, we still get asked why. Why should I be on Twitter or have a Fan Page?  Often businesses would rather allocate funds strictly to traditional media outreach and avoid utilizing social media.  Here are four reasons why small b2b and b2c businesses should take advantage of social media:

1. Professionals and Consumers are There. According to a Harris Poll in April 2009, 48% of adults have at least one social network profile.
2. Communication is Immediate. This is ideal for last minute promotions to drive traffic into particular stores, share timely news, and garner customer input/feedback.
3. Journalists Look for Stories Online. 70% of journalists use some form of social media to help with reporting, according to a Middleberg Communications survey.
4. It is Measurable. Website statistics, clicks, interaction, and online conversation are all able to be monitored and measured, to ensure a return on investment.

Why do (or don’t) you use social media?