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Corporations and organizations have been working hard to provide consumers with interactivity through social media. Companies go through countless board meetings to calculate how much time and effort needs to use in these social media tools effective. After the decision to use social media is agreed upon, their hard work doesn’t end. This process is important to ensure that the company is all in an agreement and updated on the development of these tools.
What if a person isn’t working for a major corporation? What about the individuals that are searching for information unrelated to a company brand or service? Don’t they deserve the same capabilities and ease of social media as company stakeholders and consumers?
Most people think of social media as a place to form or join forums about a company or brand. This is not always the case. These forums absolutely do exist, but what about the other form of social media that allows users to meet one another and share information?
Groups of people have the opportunity to communicate with one another on topics of similar interest. Does this necessarily make the social media interactive?
As a matter of fact it does! As a double major with dance and media arts and design, I have grown increasingly interested in how to use social media to benefit my second major. I began by searching for dance forums and blogs to communicate with fellow dancers.
I came across an interesting blog called A Time to Dance. Maria the writer, wishes to keep her last name personal, is currently working on balancing her career and family with her passion of dance. Recent posts consist of master classes she has taken and exciting things she has encountered with other dancers on the Internet. Did you know that America’s Best Dance Crew, Quest Crew, has a MySpace and Face Book page? Their rivals Beat Freaks have their own blog. This is a great way for dancers to learn about and support one another.
Along with blogs there are countless social media sites to join. As a member if Twitter I was notified as being followed by Dance Plug. Immediately, I became intrigued and wanted to learn more about my new follower. Their Twitter site is way to update their followers and draw them into their own website. This website requires free registration, and provides dancers with more information than they could imagine.
Dance Plug incorporates interactivity and social interaction design to draw in users, as well as, valuable information to keep dancers up-to-date in the dance world. Dance Plug was set-up by several choreographers as a way to teach people how to dance online. However, this site also includes forums, upcoming audition listings, choreography videos created by the developers of Dance Plug, lists of upcoming master classes, and the ability to post information of your own. For example as a member of Dance Plug, I can advertise my own auditions or event dates for other dancers to view. The Dance Plug website also provides a link to their blog.
From the unique videos and navigational designs, to the amazing information and collaboration among dancers. This site is one of the top social media tools that does not relate to a corporation or specific brand. It is a community for dancers, choreographers, teachers, and those affiliated with the art of dance to share their knowledge with one another.
This Verizon Wireless slogan ensures customers that they can have a phone conversation anywhere. This is no longer the only conversation that is important to Verizon. The company wants to hear their customers and now want their customers and employees to communicate, too.
One of the most well known competitive markets is the cell phone industry. A day doesn’t go by that consumers won’t see cell phone brands competing against one another. In this economy competition is a serious factor in the marketing department. How are competing companies reaching their consumers, and is it more efficient than their own techniques?
Well, Verizon has grasped the importance of interactivity through social media in order to help relate to customers and provide valuable information. Verizon’s website is very simple to follow and clearly categorized to ensure easy usability. If you visit the Verizon Homepage you have the option of choosing between the residential, business, or wireless side of the company. Not only do these three sections provide information specific to their category, but they also provide something more.
Social media tools are used as links to guide customers and provide even more information. In the residential homepage Verizon provides consumers with forums and a news center update. In the business homepage there are podcasts discussing better business ideas, such as going green, and they have also have links for the Verizon News Center. In the wireless homepage there are links to community forums, a view of the weekly calendar, and a sign-up to receive email updates.
There are so many social media tools that we could discuss, but the two main tools that provide the most information is the community forums and the Verizon News Center. The community forum provides categories for consumers to post a comment within the correct category. This allows such a larger company with numerous products to help to direct customers efficiently. Along with the ability to post comments or suggestions, Verizon provides a few social interactive design tools. Customers have the option to give posts kudos and developed a ranking system for each post. Interactive design tools are a creative way to excite consumers and keep them intrigued in the site. You can find more information on interactive design in a previous post of mine, “Future with Interactive Design“.
The Verizon News Center provides updates on breaking news, past announcements, background information, and media relation’s contacts. There are also links to press releases, videos, and fact sheets etc. Even though this is not essentially interactivity it is still a great form of social media to provide stakeholders with information.
The Verizon website is a great way to keep customers informed, but Verizon also has a policy blog to discuss a variety of topics. Just like the website the Verizon PolicyBlog is categorized. Topics range from broadband, wireless, video, web 2.0, and policies etc. The blog is written and updated by the communication and media relations department.
In combination with the Verizon PolicyBlog and website, Verizon has truly grasped the idea of social media and web 2.0. Will Verizon come continue to come out with even more social media? Or will they continue to strive in what they have all ready implemented? One thing is certain, to remain a top competitor Verizon has to continue using their social media tools to the best of their ability.
