A business introduction to social media
Social media is a powerful communications tool which offers distinct and unique marketing benefits. Every major organisation in the world uses social media. You don’t need to be a marketing expert to use social media effectively, whatever resources you have, with social media, a little can go a long way.
LinkedIn and Twitter
Founded in 2003, LinkedIn is considered the professional social network. Content is typically formal in tone and topic. Business accounts on LinkedIn are great for sharing industry insight and news, and for influencing and connecting with other influencers. It also has the benefit of allowing organisations to build specialist networks, such as a network for its own staff, or a network for customers/clients etc.
LinkedIn is also valuable to individual users as well. They can demonstrate their expertise and promote their projects. This is beneficial for both the individual, as it supports their career and professional identity, and their organisation, as it demonstrates that the ‘best of the best’ work there.
Founded in 2006, Twitter is an online news and social network. It is often considered a ‘real time’ update site, with an emphasis on immediacy of information. Twitter sits between the formality of LinkedIn and the informality of Facebook; recognised as both a professional and personal social channel.
Twitter accounts are great for influencing and connecting with other influencers. Companies can also build their brand identity and share news and updates. Twitter allows a more casual/informal connection to be built between professionals and customers, and can be used to create communities.
Benefits
- Connects and engages directly with audiences quickly en-masse
- Facilitates open, two-way communications
- Helps gain marketplace insights
- Showcases your products and services
- Generates inbound traffic to your webpages
- Provides a channel to develop relationships with customers, staff and partners
Security tips
Keep on top of your accounts so that your social media presence is up to date, consistent, and secure. Unattended accounts can be targeted by hackers, who could then post anything they liked
Human error – Like anything online, think about what you click on and what you download.
Vulnerable third-party apps – If you are going to use third-party apps for scheduling social media and social media data analytics (e.g. Hootsuite), think carefully about which you choose and make sure they are locked down also.
Scams and Phishing attacks – Watch out for things like fake coupons for big brands asking for personal information.
Privacy settings – Just as you would for your personal accounts, make sure you understand the privacy settings, and give guidance to your staff if they need to use their personal accounts at work.
Find Out More
If you enjoyed this briefing paper, check out our other digital resources which cover a wide range of topics, including quantum computing, social media, and 3D printing.
The Lancashire Cyber Foundry runs a series of business strategy and cyber workshops specifically designed for SMEs in Lancashire. We’re passionate about seeing Lancashire business become more cyber-aware and innovative and so offer funded places for companies to come and learn how to defend, innovate and grow their business. Additionally, we have an experienced technical team ready to help you with your business innovation ideas, particularly around cyber and digital innovation.
To find out more about how your business can access support or register on one of upcoming workshops, contact us:
About the Author
Amanda Ross
Marketing Manager, Wellbeing Leader, Coach and Musician, Amanda manages the promotion of partnerships and business engagement activities for Lancaster University’s Faculty of Science and Technology. She provides marketing support to many large-scale, multi-million-pound regional economic development projects like the Lancashire Cyber Foundry, facilitating communications for businesses, university staff and students.
Interested? Email us
Sign up to our newsletter
Get the latest updates on news and events from the Lancashire Cyber Foundry team.
By filling in this form you register for our e-newsletter, which will help explain the programme and how we could benefit your business. Registering does not place you under any obligation, and you can unsubscribe from communications at any time using the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our newsletters. Lancaster University will hold and use the information which you supply in line with our privacy policy.
