Social media.  It’s a phrase we have all come to know or at least hear on a regular basis. What does it mean? How do you get involved? Where should someone start? Let me admit right here that I am not an expert nor am I totally involved with social media, but I am starting to see the value and am slowly embracing it.

Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and so many others crowd the marketing and topics of discussion every day. Even this blog that is being written is part of a social media campaign and is a great example of how someone might get started. Every day as you progress through life, you experience things that you can write about. Sometimes you can write about one of these experiences and then link it to your line of business. It could also be that the experience is something that you want to share and a blog is a way of doing that. These short “stories” are a way to allow others to read about your experiences. 

What is really cool about social media that I am finding is that in order to help share that story, there are so many ways to spread it. The internet is truly a vehicle that can allow your story to be spread in such a short period of time. Whether someone “Tweets” the link to the blog, you have regular followers or just have the right keywords that Google or some other search engine finds it, you are able to share this information with millions of people in a matter of seconds. You can write it once and then share it via so many outlets. 

Networking sites such as Linkedin have also become powerful tools to keep in touch with people on a professional level. You can stay in touch with business colleagues, customers, vendors, etc. and use it as a way to research someone that you are currently trying to do business with. This is a great way to continue keeping in touch with someone that you have met at a networking event or just met in any situation that you want to keep a conversation going with.  These sites are also wonderful ways to vet potential new hires. 

If you haven’t already started your journey into social media, I recommend you join me in this great experience. There are millions of resources to help you understand how they all work and what the idea is behind each tool. Start slowly and you will find that it becomes addicting. Enjoy learning about all of the ways to be social and I look forward to talking with you in that social network. Include Software has spent the last few months really digging into Twitter and look for our Facebook Fan Page to be up by the end of March. Follow us and hear all about some of our latest happenings.

Do you Groupon?  A question asked to me by my friend this weekend.  She was especially excited about a deal she had received from a local jeweler on Pandora bracelet beads.  My answer:  no, not yet.  But it is something I had been meaning to explore.

For those not totally familiar with the concept, Groupon (“Group Coupon”) provides a deal-of-the-day for local businesses.  A minimum number of people have purchase the coupon to activate it.  Otherwise, the deal is null.  The savings can be huge for consumers (50% – 90%) and fun, too, with the whole thrill of the chase and the spreading of the word.

However, what does it mean from the perspective of the business?  Is it all that?

The reviews are somewhat mixed.   However, the consensus does seem to be it is a good thing for businesses, if the approach is well thought-out and planned.  There are some horror stories that tell of small, local businesses being inundated with hoards of Groupon bearing customers and actually losing money once Groupon gets its cut and the customers get their deal.

But, this trend in online promotion for offline businesses has the potential for drawing a large, new repeat-customer base.  It is an innovative way to generate a “new-tech” buzz to an “old-fashioned” brick and mortar establishment.  A recent study showed that the majority of businesses using Groupon would run another promotion.

The caveat to any business contemplating testing the social promotions waters of Groupon, Living Social, and the like is to tread carefully.  Look at it is a marketing investment, not just a surge of cash flow.  Understand the terms, conditions, and costs of placing your promotion on the chosen website.  And, lastly, make all necessary arrangements for staffing, facilities, and processes to prepare for the onslaught of activity.