I’m oftentimes asked how businesses can market their products on MyFace or SpaceBook (kidding). They want to use Twitter to announce a new product or tell the world how cool they are. They get obsessed with collecting hundreds, if not thousands, of Twitter followers (this is not necessarily good). Or their competitors are doing it so they must get into it.

Before jumping in, ask yourself “Why do I think social media is my solution?” After digging deeper, you’ll likely find that social media is part of the solution, not the solution.

On the other hand, if you think you have a solid reason for getting into social media, answer these questions:

  • Have you defined your target audience?
  • Do you have a social media strategy that’s consistent with your brand?
  • Do you fully understand how each of the social media tools work (e.g., Twitter, blogs, Facebook, MySpace, Ning, LinkedIn, Orkut, etc.)?
  • Do you know which tools will work for your needs?
  • Can you consistently dedicate two or more hours a week to your social media effort?
  • Do you have metrics in place to measure the success of your efforts?

If you answered no to more than one of these, get some professional social media help. Before getting wowed by a potential social media partnership,  their presentation, charm, shiny offices, etc., ask a few key questions:

  • Do they have a measurable approach to establishing your social media strategy?
  • Will you receive reporting against your defined metrics?

If you get solid information to those questions, you should be in good hands. Interview more than one agency or social media expert. If you’re not sure what you’re getting into, give Meshwork Marketing a call.

Finally, here’s a quick read from Seth Godin on The Pillars of Social Media Site Success.