Image via WikipediaBlogs, Facebook, Twitter – too many companies are still missing the boat with social media. If you’re not using social media to take your business to the next level, here are 25 reasons why you should.
1. Traditional advertising is expensive
2. Social media is inexpensive or free
3. Traditional media audiences are in decline
4. Social media audiences are growing exponentially
5. Traditional marketing is one-way communication
6. Social media engages customers and prospects in conversation
7. Traditional marketing is impersonal
8. Social media is human
9. Social media exposes your brand to a younger demographic
10. Today’s younger consumers and employees are tomorrow’s leaders
11. Blogs establish your firm as a thought leader
12. Blogs differentiate your firm in ways that matter to customers
13. Blogs enhance search engine visibility (SEO)
14. Blogs provide a forum for new ideas to improve products and services
15. Blogs attract new customers
16. Blogs offer a new channel for customer service
17. Social media enables you to reach customers at the moment they want to talk or buy
18. Early social media adapters will outflank the competition
19. Social media inspires brand evangelists
20. Non participation leaves companies helpless in the face of negative press or buzz
21. Social media is fun
22. Traditional marketing is ivory tower-ish
23. Social media work in the trenches
24. Social media fosters teamwork and builds morale
25. Social media allows smaller players to compete with the big guys – and win
What can you add to the list?
Can you think of reasons not to engage in social media?
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Nice list Brad. For me the main arguments against would be a) time you need to put into it b) time lag – don’t expect instant returns, it’s more of a slow burn c) no-one’s really worked out a way to identify the benefits yet. As time is money I’m still not sure whether companies will stick with/ move to social media when times are as tight as they are/going to be.
Joanna Youngs last blog post..When Good Advice Goes Out the Window: Down The Writing Rabbit Hole
Hi Joanna, The objections you mention come up frequently. While of course there is truth in them, I don’t think they should deter any company from engaging in social media. Almost any marketing effort, virtual or not, requires a sustained effort and is difficult to precisely measure in terms of results. It is true that social media takes time, and that time is money. But money is money, too. A business should be able to save money – lots of it – by reducing the spend on traditional marketing/advertising/pr and talking on a social media program. Their cost in time will be less than what they were spending, and the results will improve. From my perch, social media is working for business. In terms of site traffic, leads, and new business, we are seeing results. Clients are sometimes surprised, but I think that’s just the newness factor.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..25 Reasons to Participate in b2b or b2c Social Media
Brad, I would add that social media provides an opportunity to lead and innovate rather than follow. It is much easier (and cost efficient) for businesses to carve out and dominate niches online, utilizing social media tools to test, promote and evolve.
Karen Swims last blog post..Waiting for the Train
Brad, great list! I’d add the fact that social media (well, not all of it) is the best resource out there for inspiration, new ideas and a great place to be when you need to stimulate your creativity.
Alina Popescus last blog post..How to find problems to fix
Karen, You are 100% correct about leadership. Sadly, fewer companies actually aspire to be leaders than claim to.
Alina, Another excellent point! The interactive Web is the best learning tool yet created.
Brad-
I have not seen the Fortune 500 embrace Social Media yet so I am not what that means exactly. Is there a perceived lack of value?I am not sure but I am anxious to see how that plays out in the interim.
Hi, cool site, good writing