DEBUNKING SOCIAL MEDIA MYTHS @chiphanna | @balcomagency @ryanjcormier | @ratiodigital
Social media is a hot topic. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation out there.
Ever heard someone say this? • Social media is just for kids • B2B customers aren’t using social media • We know what the next big thing in social is • It doesn’t matter when I respond, as long as I do • Everyone sees every post I make for my client • Social media is free • There is no ROI in social media • Social media doesn’t influence search rankings • Social media is strictly about PR (or marketing/digital/etc.) • I don’t have time to be on social media • There’s a one-size-fits-all solution for social media
Myth: Social media is just for kids
Fact: Social media is not just for kids
Who’s using social media? • 92% of people ages 18-29 • 73% of people ages 30-49 • 57% of people ages 50-64 • 38% of people ages 65+ – 18% of which do so daily The only tools used more are email and search engines
Which sites are adults using? • 1 in 6 use Pinterest • 1 in 6 use Instagram • 1 in 6 use Twitter • 2 in 3 use Facebook
Myth: B2B customers aren’t using social media
Fact: B2B customers are using social media
“Social media has given the customers a voice. You must engage with them or soon become obsolete to them.” - Kevin Espinosa, Social Media Manager | Caterpillar • Social media helped over 56% of B2B marketers acquire new business partnerships • Almost 60% saw improved search rankings • 69% gained valuable market insight
Myth: We know what the next big thing in social is
Fact: Nobody knows what the next big thing is
Myth: It doesn’t matter when I respond, as long as I do
Fact: It does matter when you respond
Myth: Everyone sees every post I make for my client
Fact: very few of your fans see your posts
However, not all is lost
Myth: Social media is free
Fact: Social media is not free
• Social media requires time • Time costs money • Therefore, social media costs money
Myth: There is no ROI in social media
Fact: There is a ROI in social media
What’s the ROI on this?
Which traffic source would you prefer?
Myth: Social media doesn’t influence search rankings
Fact: Social media does influence search rankings
We literally had to add this yesterday
Myth: Social media is strictly about PR (or marketing/digital/etc.)
Fact: It all needs to be integrated
• Social media combines the best of PR, digital, marketing and advertising • We need to work together to have success • Why?
What are the best boots for fat calves?
Myth: I don’t have time to be on social media
Fact: you can’t afford not to be
Myth: There’s a one-size-fits-all solution for social
Fact: There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution for social
• It takes a lot of planning, work and dedication • You have to be committed • You can’t expect it to be free or easy • Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet
We’re curious – what myths have you heard?
Thank you!
Chip Hanna | @chiphanna Balcom Agency | @balcomagency Facebook.com/balcomagency Ryan Cormier | @ryanjcormier Ratio Digital | @ratiodigital Facebook.com/ratiodigital AAF Fort Worth | @aaffortworth