The Tools of Social Media

Before beginning a project of any type it is a pre-requisite to know what tools are available, what tools are required, and a clear understanding of how to use the available tools.

Social Media offers numerous tools of varying types to businesses and consumers, knowing what is available, which Social Media tools you should be using to achieve your company objectives and how to use the tool for your business’s project can be confusing to even the saviest Social Marketer. The speed at which tools come to market and head to obsolescence is astounding as is the sheer number of Social Media Tools available.

To evaluate or even describe the tools available would be an enormous undertaking however, achieving a reasonable working understanding of the various types of Social Media Tools available to your business is more realistic and achievable.

The Types of Social Media Tools

The primary business objectives of Social Media is to converse and engage with customers and potential customers to achieve a desired result which may be a sales or sales lead or improved customer satisfaction.

Social Media uses various media types to engage and interact with consumers including text audio, video and photographs. Businesses are even using virtual and gaming communities to interact with consumers, HR Block offers tax advice on the virtual community Second Life.

Your company’s products, services and target market will impact on the type of Social Media Tools beneficial to your company. As your read the outline below use your imagination and think outside the box of new ways to leverage these tools for your company.

Social Networks

Social Networking Tools enable businesses to open new channels of communication with consumers and business prospects. Digital Social Networks are the new town square, the new Chamber of Commerce meeting, it is where consumers and fellow business owners are congregating, it is the new contact point between businesses and potential and existing clients.

The growth in Social Networks is across the board My Space, Facebook, Ning and of course Linkedin are all experiencing phenomenal growth in monthly unique visitors and offer the ideal location to connect with potential and current customers.

Content Publishing

Again I have to say it “Content is King” and this is unlikely to change.

Content publishing covers a vast array of tools and applications, consider how you get your own information and you will begin to have a reasonable understanding of the range of tools available to publish and broadcast your company’s message.

The primary Social Media Publishing Tools include:

Email / Newsletters: Email and Newsletter has expanded to offer extensive connectivity with the advent of Mobile technology, enabling businesses to broadcast their messages and consumers to retrieve and read emails virtually anywhere.

Forums: Forums offer businesses an effective method to engage and carry on conversations on specific topics and interest. Forums have the ability to create and develop a close knit, trusted community

Wikis: Wikis are web based applications enabling users to develop, edit and to distribute their knowledge on the topic of their choice. Companies are beginning to leverage the power of Wikis to lower training costs, product development and to retain various types of procedural business information.

Blogs: Blogs are the most effective, easiest and most popular Social Media Tool to develop; communication and conversation, and to create an environment of trust between your business’s and current and potential clients and customers.

There are numerous free Blogging tools available all offering templates and the ability to instantly start publishing your content. Blogs are available from sites such as Wordpress and Blogger where all you need is a user account and you can begin your life as a Blogger, Wordpress among others offer a self hosted version which offers even more flexibility and is the ideal choice for business blogging.

Audio / Podcasts: Without a doubt Podcasts enable your business message to be heard, it is not text, it is not a photograph, it is a personal recording of your business message which you can record on your computer / upload to your server and enable those interested to download and listen to on their computers. Humans have used verbal communication since the dawn of time to spread ideas and to influence others. What could be better than verbal communication for your business?

IPods and other digital storage devices and mobile phones enable your audience to take your message with them, listen in the car, going for an evening walk, wherever they choose, they can listen and absorb your message and information. Podcasts offer convenience to your audience and the power of verbal communication to your business.

Video: Video is hard to match for providing an engaging experience, it is visual, it is audio and hopefully it is unique and creative. Video has come to the forefront of Social Media, the popularity of You Tube is proof of this. Video enables you to visually communicate with your target audience in your blog, shared on You Tube and wherever you audience wants to view your video on their IPods or mobile phones, offering you unlimited opportunities to connect and enthrall your audience

Creating and uploading Video is low cost and easy (shame I’m camera shy). An added bonus is Video is currently providing excellent results for the Search Engine Optimization of your web site.

Micro Blogging: Are you concise? Do you want to build a conversation and converse with others and build close networking bonds? 140 Character micro blogging messages such as those on Twitter may be the ideal Social Media solution. The immediacy and portability of micro blogging using online applications in conjunction with mobile devises is possibly one of the most powerful Social Media tools.

Followers and followed develop online communities and networks based on interests and previous friendship and associations. Find the Micro bloggers interested in your business and services and begin the conversation and soon, providing you are offering a meaningful message you will soon have a following you can leverage and engage.

Conclusion - Social Media Tools

Although these are the primary tools types of Social Media Tools, it is by no means a comprehensive list of the Social Media Tools available to your business. However, these Social Media Tools are the primary tools you will need to learn and understand, to leverage the power of Social Media for your business or company.