Social Media and Communications Objectives

Photo credit gauravonomics


What would you add as Communications Objectives for using Social Media?

Posed this question to my online (and offline) Social Media buddies. Lorraine and Vicki tied for 1st place, IMHO. I'd like to use a blend of both in place of my Ten C's list. Edward R. Gurney, Sr. admonished my list on LinkedIn by commenting: "I think I see a few synonyms here...". sorry, Edward.

Lorraine Baker, Owner, LBEnterprises wrote:
Missy, Thanks for offering up another delightfully creative conundrum. With my trusty ”Rodale Synonym Finder” by my side – I chose to define SMO in terms that mirror the traditional song celebrating one of the earliest origins of social media communications: MOTHERS -- as in “ M is for the many things she gave me…..” Thus:

S = Synchronize
O = Opine
C = Comingle
I = Influence
A = Amplify
L = Lead

M = Mentor
E = Enlighten
D = Disseminate
I = Inspire
A = Actualize (as in: to achieve the communications
objectives of Social Media)

Lorraine Baker (aka: a fully socialized media communicator!)


Vicki Bass-DeBinion, Enterprising Sales Champion-Training Guru (San Diego) wrote:
Dare to be different...........and it fits your stipulation for 11 Communication Objectives for using S.O.C.I.A.L. M.E.D.I.A. leading to Change ;)

• Socialize
• Orchestrate
• Challenge
• Inspire
• Associate
• Learn

• Mentor
• Elaborate
• Develop
• Intellectual
• Assist

Cheers! Vicki Bass-DeBinion ALL Invites Welcomed!!


Here are some of the others I received and all have their particular merits:

Justin Whitaker, Assistant Vice President at State Street Corporation wrote:
Connect-You connect to people via Social Networks.
Converse-You converse with them.
Community-You turn them into a community.
Collaborate-You collaborate with them to make your community/product/offering better.
Change-You change your business, your products, and the perception of them, and change the world.


Cliff Bryant, Director of Marketing at Physicians for Peace wrote:
... Achieve!


Robin Croft, Principal Lecturer at University of Glamorgan, UK wrote:
I would limit myself to learning: about how the new media are evolving, and how users are using the channels. Social Media are virtual word of mouth platforms - organizations need to understand what is being said about them instead of merely trying to influence the exchanges. Modern audiences are media-savvy and social media are popular because they develop authentic relationships. If you start segmenting, targeting and positioning and you will soon alienate your customers and then the very platforms you were trying to exploit will be used against you.

Credibility, creativity, integrity what about these?


Jean Shields Fleming, Award-winning content strategist wrote:
Confide, confront, confabulate, and to break out of the C category, amuse, inform, and express.


Sheila Powell, Director at Old Dominion University's Executive Development Center wrote:
Missy, Catalyst comes to mind, but that is very close to change. Perhaps champion i.e. take the lead, support etc. I'll keep working on it.


Ken Rochon, CEO of AbsoluteEntertainment.com, DJ Mixologist, Linguist absolutemixer@aol.com wrote:
We will have the forum up on PN very soon. I would like you to ask this question there too.
1. Reach
2. Ease of use
3. Ease of search
4. Ease of communication
5. Google friendly
6. Education oriented "Q&A", blogs, articles, etc.
7. Unique complimenting platforms, radio, face-to-face, seminars
8. Price
9. Benefits given at a great ROE
10. High Quality Community (There is another "C" - Community.
11. Interesting to stay on
12. Growth, site is continually growing in quality and quantity
13. You can learn something from the people on the site.


Jelise Ballon, Marketing Manager at Dimension Data wrote:
What about building your brand?


Cindy Huffman, Freelance writer/editor at Ad Concepts and Copy wrote:
Interesting question! My thoughts:
Consulting others' opinions and expertise
Civility in all correspondence
Conversation - make it a two-way street for optimum benefit to all
Consideration of other viewpoints
Creativity where possible (an option, not a necessity here)


Teri Sawers, Owner, Communications Insights wrote:
Missy, You need the one that starts with L there too. Listen. To what the community is saying and what you listen and learn, when not actively participating.


Vic Beck, Strategic Communications / Public Relations wrote:
Bottom line: It's really about informing and/or influencing someone -- just like many other communication channels.


Gail Kent, ABC, Managing Director, The Buzz Factory, a boutique PR/marketing firm in Hampton Roads, VA wrote:
Contribute to the discussion.
Clarify your position.
Celebrate different opinions.
Chat with friends and acquaintainces.
Check out the competition.
Links: http://theprbuzz.com and www.HRMediaConnectionz.com.


Laurel Phelps LaFlamme, Online Advertising, Internet Marketing and PR Consultant wrote:
These are all good suggestions. I think Gail "nailed" it. You must keep tabs on the competition. "-- It's an open form of eavesdropping-- You can get both sides of conversation AND expand your network". I would add: comment carefully and with courtesy. Remember that anything written and published online can come back to haunt you if written thoughtlessly or with malicious intent.
Links: www.seroundtable.com


Check these visual representations of this Social Media conversation:

• Social Media Landscape Photo credit (CC) Vincenzo Cosenza
• A very cool Twitter Poster (beta) showing in weighted format who is "most followed". I see that I follow a few of these gurus!
• Check out The Conversation Prism, too.
• What People Do Online (great graphic depiction by age group for targeted marketing!) Photo credit robinhamman From Business Week