Is The Hype With Social Media Dying Off?

Since early 2009 the hype around social media has been huge in throughout the world and right here in the VAR, Managed Services and IT Professionals community.  Many of us are wanting to figure out how it fits into our MSP/VAR business and a some  experts are continuing to tell their clients that “if you are not using social media you’re doomed to failure” and “social media is the next wave of marketing”.  There is some truth to the next wave of marketing but just how?

Here is an exercise for you.  Talk to three of your most influential friends today and ask them what they think about social media?

I am sure some of your small business clients, colleagues in the IT industry or friends at the local pub will tell you that social media is important and they want to know more about how they go start an effective social media marketing strategy.

Ask them “how do you define social media?”  I am sure we will get a some answers on what social media actually is. This is a very good question, how do we define social media?

To many, social media is Facebook, Twitter and other tools?

Social Media services like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are simply tools for your MSP/VAR business to communicate and interact with others in our community or our networks.  Maybe you use LinkedIn, Twitter and others services to hear what industry experts such as MSPMentor and Arlin Sorensen are talking about.  Maybe you use it as a research tool.

Will these tools change?  Maybe, some will mature and some will fade away.

The truth is, the Internet in general continues to offer huge potential and marketing your business online is a critical part of your overall marketing strategy.  Having an Internet marketing strategy is something all businesses must have today.  After all, many people continue to search for computer repair companies, IT services and someone who can fix a Small Business Server everyday using Google, BING and a handful of other search services online.

But, are they using Facebook or Twitter to get these services?  According to friends close to me, they have never purchased a single thing or hired a contractor because of what someone tweeted or mentioned on Facebook.  I am not talking about influence from colleagues, I am purely speaking about direct messaging.

So where are the opportunities with social media in Information Technology community?

For vendors the opportunity is huge.  I was in Las Vegas a few weeks ago working with a major distribution company when it suddenly dawned on me.  I was seeing social media from the vendors perspective now.  They were building communities with their customers and using Facebook to create a direct portal to leaders of the company.  Can we do this in our MSP business?  Can we leverage social media and build our own communities of interest?

So is the hype dying off or is it just maturing?

Interested in learning more about social media in your MSP business, I welcome you to give me a call at 403.604.9464 and let’s chat about the use of social media in your business.