{"id":243,"date":"2009-10-01T08:28:08","date_gmt":"2009-10-01T12:28:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awgentry.com\/blog\/?p=243"},"modified":"2009-10-01T08:28:08","modified_gmt":"2009-10-01T12:28:08","slug":"businesses-embrace-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awgentry.com\/weblog\/businesses-embrace-social-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Businesses Embrace(?) Social Media"},"content":{"rendered":"

Excerpt from <\/em>Businesses to learn about social media<\/a>
\nBurlington Free Press; May 25, 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

As social media forums evolve, they are quickly becoming an essential tool for business. But, social media gurus say, businesses need to learn to give up control over their message and participate in a dialogue with the public and online \u201cinfluencers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwitter<\/a> is great, but if you\u2019re not ready to talk to people, than Twitter is horrible,\u201d [Gannett] said.<\/p>\n

Many companies, Chapman said, are \u201cscared of letting their brand go: \u2018What do you mean they can talk to me anyway [sic]<\/em> they want?\u2019 … They are just stuck in the old way of thinking: print, radio and television,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Companies jumping into the social media world need to embrace their lack of control, Defren said, explaining, \u201cYou give up the premise of control. You just try to create a good product and a good service and engage in a good dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to be engaged where your customers and prospects are,\u201d Defren said. \u201cDon\u2019t try to force them to come to you. You go to them. It\u2019s about the relationship, not the tool.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read the full article >>><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How have businesses in your city been embracing (or avoiding) social media and other new innovations? What’s the most revolutionary or intriguing use you’ve seen?<\/em><\/p>\n

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