Phone
(334) 272-5444
(877) 898-3957

Headquarters Mailing Address
PO Box 240756
Montgomery, AL  36125  USA

Email
info@melcooper.com
customerservice@melcooper.com
sales@melcooper.com

Social Networks

Facebook
Twitter

Online Marketing Tip

Social Networking
& Micro-blogging

Social networking (e.g. Facebook, MySpace) and micro-blogging (Twitter) are ways for people to interact and develop relationships with people online.   More specifically, it  offers a way for businesses to interact with employees, prospects, and customers in a way that was never possible only five years ago. 

Not a Passing Fad

If you still think that social networking via Facebook or Twitter is just a passing fad that will go the way of the Pet Rock, think again!  Many influential online marketers believe that we're only seeing the tip of a gigantic iceberg in the way that these technologies can be used effectively to get your business brand out in the "world" (your local world or the entire planet) where potential customers can see it.

Where Do These Technologies
Fit In Among Retailers?

There are tremendous opportunities for retailers to leverage social networking and micro-blogging to promote a brand and deepen relationships with customers.  Lately, some national retailers have even begun to replace their website address on their advertising with the URL for their Twitter page.  However, those opportunities are less likely to be exploited among small- to medium-size retailers. 

A Good Idea for Small Retailers?

Smaller retailers are less likely to leverage social networking and micro-blogging technologies  for several reasons.  The main reason is because of limited time and staff needed to participate and manage those online technologies.  Most smaller retailers are so busy managing staff, inventory, customers, and suppliers that they have little time to spend "twittering" back and forth with customers all day long.  In fact, we believe that most smaller retailers would actually be better served by staying more focused on their store's website rather than committing limited time to a Twitter or MySpace page. 

But Opportunities for Small
Retailers Do Exist

As social networking and micro-blogging technologies mature there will likely be more ways for even small retailers to effectively leverage them to promote their brick-and-mortar stores.  Third-party application developers are already emerging who offer practical uses for technologies like Twitter, for example.  One such application that we have seen lately involves auto body and paint businesses  where the body shop can send "status pictures" of customers' automobiles in various stages of repair via Twitter.  Who would have thought that a body shop repairman would have a paint sprayer in one hand and a smartphone camera in the other? 

 

For more information about how to leverage social networking technologies in your business click here to send an email to us email with your specific interest.  Or, send us a "tweet"