The Social Media Journey

I came across this image and it truly describes my idea of the social media journey. Now if you truly think about what is the social media journey? First things first, anytime you talk to someone about social media they think of the basics. A tweet on twitter, a post on Instagram or maybe even a update on Facebook talking about what their grandmother is making for Sunday's family dinner.

But the social media journey that I speak about is far more in depth than just an update. It's a journey from beginning to end for businesses and even individuals. It describes the ideas behind developing meaningful relationships with your customers online, creating a successful email or advertising campaign for your newest product launch, how one tweet can change your business digital footprint forever or how the process of being discovered on Google's first page search post. This is what I mean by the social media journey!

Let's take a look at this journey for a second. Look right at the top where it says "one tweet can change a whole company". Remember earlier this year when Chrysler Auto's tweeted "I find it ironic that Detriot is known as the #motorcity and yet no one here knows how to fucking drive". Chrysler claims that they didn't mean to use the F bomb, but we all know how this story ended. For one you ruined your reputation in the motor capital of the US and you speak about drivers who are your consumers.

Now take a look a little further down to where it says "Take a look at another successful campaign". Now 2017 had alot of successful campaigns but one that stood out for me was Airbnb. Earlier this year, Airbnb hosts were accused of turning away guests due to discriminatory reasons. As many of you know in this generation the race topic is a sensitive one. Instead of fighting the fight, they decided to own it instead. They created the #WeAccept campaign and it was aired on this years Super bowl.

They were able to turn around a negative situation with remarkable appreciation on social. They incorporated all aspects of the social media journey from social media marketing, reputation management and PR all in one. 

Or what about building relationships with you customers. Where does that begin? It begins with COMMUNICATION & CONVERSATION. Your customers make your business and if they are unhappy they aren't afraid to tell the world about it and that world is SOCIAL MEDIA. This is where communication and conversation play a part. If you are not taking the time to communication with your consumers how do you begin to build an ever lasting relationship with them which also turns in to referrals for you as well. Looking for a new employee to hire? A business partner to invest into your business or even new customers to retain? Review management and relationship building play a major role when it comes to this.

The path of social media is never ending and if your not up to date and up to speed on all aspects of the digital world you will fall short. 2018 is a beast when it comes to digital. With the upcoming rise of Instagram Stories, intergrating video into your customer journey, paying attenting to Generation Z, understand the effectiviness of live video and email marketing and email autmotiation the digital world is only getting bigger and better.

What's your social media journey?

Contact me for further information or speaking engagements.

Linkedin: Jazmin Griffith

Instagram: TheSocialConnectt

Youtube: The Social Connect,