Today, we “talk” via the computer and text through the cell phones. Almost gone are those precious face to face meetings that create a relationship of trust. Communication has become impersonal…..until recently.

The new platform for customer communication is via social media where buyer and seller can interact. Through Social Networking, Blogging and Micro-blogging your company can continue the conversation with your customers.

An unprecedented change has taken place, putting tools for publication, discovery, and real time interaction, in the hands of everyone – from simple text to photos and video. Social media tools are changing businesses in terms of how they can connect with customers, partners, peers and even the competition.

Future customers may hear about your business as part of a Social Networking Web Site. The new consumer is as likely to find your business through a Social Network as a Search Engine.

Pete Hollier from SEOwizardry lists a few tips:

Social Networking

It is becoming imperative that businesses develop Social Media Marketing Programs. Your customers expect it and your competitors are adopting and using Social Media to connect and interact with current and future customers – possibly even your own. The number must have gone up by now but in 2008 Cone Business in Social Media Study, states 93% of Americans believe that a company should have a presence on social media sites and 85% believe that these companies should use these services to interact with consumers. Social Media today threatens to replace e-mail as the primary electronic communication.

Integrating Social Media

Developing an effective Social Media Marketing Program involves investigating and determining a number of factors such as:

What are the goals and objectives of your company’s Social Media Marketing Program?
Determine responsibilities for program implementation and monitoring.
Strategy for the development of required content.
Prepare company guidelines for communication and participation.
Who and how often will company staff be empowered to communicate the Social Media message
Define criteria to determine the effectiveness
Companies that are using Social Media are gaining entrance into the homes and minds of their consumers. When a prospective consumer becomes a “fan” of a product on Facebook, or they follow a company on Twitter, they are requiring the company to translate their abstract corporate persona into something more personal and relatable. With that “personal” connection the customer is asking for information and support not just as a consumer, but as a “friend.”

Through stories, helpful hints, photos, videos, testimonials, and blogs the customer is demanding a deeper relationship which fosters commitment on both sides.