A few months ago, I was asked to participate in a survey about the value of social media and the associated challenges. I just received the results from Econsultancy and was surprised to see that many companies are still struggling to realize the value in social media and generally are not measuring the impact of social media on their overall objectives. According to the survey results, the primary issues to implementing an effective social media strategy are:
- Lack of understanding of what social media really is and how it can help the brand
- Inability to measure social media’s impact on goals
- Lack of resources and time to devote to social media
- Lack of adequate tracking
- Inability to credit social media with conversions
While these are all legitimate concerns, the value of social media, when done right, can’t be denied. The potential benefits may far outweigh any hindrances. Kyle’s recent post on his favorite social media case study of Facebook coupons and mine on Bee M.D.’s Youtube Video Contest are perfect examples of how social media can be used to elevate your brand and engage your audience.
Do you face any of these social media challenges? And what are some barriers you have come accross in implementing your social media plan?
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Nice post Eric! I’m heading up a local campaign in Longview, Texas for Google Fiber for Communities. We convinced city leaders early that Google’s fiber to the home offering was the only way to go. I feel confident Google will take dark fiber into strong consideration upon selecting their fiber testbed communities, and I do stress plural. James Kelly, on Google’s Infrastructure Team said “Google plans to offer fiber to at least 50,000 and potentially 500,000 homes”. It would be smart for Google to test in multiple smaller communities with existing unused fiber optics underground which currently have no options for fiber to-the-home. It will be more cost effective for Google to tie into existing dark fiber as opposed to run new fiber via power poles. The only reason the dark fiber in Longview, TX remains unused today is because of the telcos which the giant is getting ready to straighten out. The teclos are basically the reason the United States ranks horribly in Internet download and upload times. My point in relation to your post is simple, “Google fiber will in time help entire communities overcome the humps of social media. Google recently got the right to buy and sell energy and they just announced Google Fiber for Communities on February 10, 2010. Web 3.0 will evolve as a result of Google’s fiber-to-the-home. The apps that can built around this are unmatched and Google knows this! It’s not a deal killer for Facebook, Twitter and the rest of the real time search leaders just yet, but overtime Google will not only remain king – but become a world leader of sorts. The telcos will not stand up to Google. Instead they will join in and jump on the big G ship headed straight for ultra-fast 1 gigabit per second Internet connectivity to residents in “smaller communities”. This goes back to the old saying that the slot machines keep the lights on in any casino across the world. Fact is it’s true and Google is smart by taking this experimental approach. None of the telcos have what Google has at the other end(s). David Drummond will put a straight slappin on their “face” and dent in the “books”…lol…had to! Keep it realy my friend