Can Brands be Trusted by the Consumer?

Social Media Marketing...a diametrically opposed term is akin to a company's sales person eavesdropping on your conversation, taking the information they need in order to come back and try to sell you something. It could be classed as a little bit sneaky...but the reality is, it"s happening. Some brands apply a more subtle approach and do actually provide information of real value and not chase you directly for a "sale"; others (the majority) are as subtle as a brick and go straight for the hard sell ABC (Always Be Closing). Social media is for the people, by the people and it exists to socialise...how about that! Yet, we are on the cusp of an influx of corporates planning to use social media to learn a lot of stuff about the consumer, and then use this to bombard them with targeted marketing messages...hence the term Social Media Marketing. If you are a band, then social media is definitely something you should consider, but engagement requires a strategy. A strategy that provides real value to your consumers so that genuine trust can be built between the two parties. Work out who the people are who wish to engage with your brand; understand their values, motivation and behaviour and then provide them with the information they need. Listen to them, encourage dialogue and interaction, then let them make their own decisions. Invest in social media marketing, going for the sale and you'll begin to realise that you have just spent time and money creating a brand reputation issue for yourself. Of course, this can be fixed, but it takes more time and more money; best policy is to get it right first time. Somatica can help you achieve this.