Using social media as marketing tools

Posted by Lesley Hays

Charlie Carter is Bluewire Media’s sales coordinator. As part of his role, he’s in charge of using social media outlets (that’s our Facebook & Twitter accounts, for starters) to expand our sales & marketing outreach.

SO, CHARLIE…

You have a history in commercial & industrial real estate. What’s a nice guy like you doing in a digital industry like this?

Simple really, I was looking for a new challenge! I have always been more technically minded than perhaps some of my former colleagues in the real estate industry and coupled with the fact that I love working with people it was an easy choice at the end of the day. I’m glad I did it too, I’m enjoying the Bluewire experience immensely.

So what’s your favourite thing about Bluewire Media so far, huh? How’s your experience been as our first official-like sales co-ordinator?

Fantastic so far. I am thrilled to be Bluewire Media’s first Sales Coordinator and have in the past three months have written three blog posts, dealt with some very exciting projects with our clients as well as being able to work with a brilliant team.

How had you used social media before starting at Bluewire Media?

I’ve been on Twitter for a while now and would have to say it’s my social media network of choice,
before Facebook anyway. Previously this year I helped out the Red Cross Blood Services annual drive
for donors with the Donate For Your State campaign on Twitter, which was a huge success for them.

How do you now help Bluewire Media use things like Facebook and Twitter as business tools?

Without going into too much detail here I think my two recent blog posts, Connecting with Customers
in the Social Web and 3 Ways to Implement Twitter Lists for Your Business are probably the best way
to explain this. Check them out!

Well, what are the benefits of expanding your marketing activities into these areas?

I believe that social media is a good way to both raise the profile of your business as well as to stay in
touch with your industry as a whole. In the case of Facebook and Twitter, these are great resources
for current and potential clients to find out more about Bluewire Media by keeping up to date with our
blog posts and the exciting projects we are working on.

Lots of businesses have started creating Twitter accounts recently. Do you have any tips for
making the most of Twitter?

If your business wants to get the most out of their Twitter experience they should be continuously
delivering value to their followers be that current or potential clients. Keep the messages relevant and
don’t be afraid to engage in a conversation or two with your followers. This builds trust and gives your
customers a voice. Once you have nailed these fundamentals then the rewards can be plentiful for
companies of all sizes.

AND FINALLY…

What do you think will be the “Next Big Thing” to watch out for?

Google Wave is showing lots of promise with how we communicate in the new web; blending social media,
email and real time chat into one big exchange of ideas. At the moment it’s in early preview stages but it
will be interesting to see how it develops as well as how we end up using it!