Social Media – Are You In Or Are You Dead? (Part 1)

Changing the paradigmatic business utilisation of social media.

Mention the phrase “social media” or “new media” to business owners and you are likely to get a puzzled facial expression, followed by concerning remarks about how difficult it is for businesses to keep up with all the latest changes, trends and demands of the modern business world. Define social media with words like “Facebook”, “Twitter” and “LinkedIn”, and all of the sudden every person you talk to is a “social media specialist”.

According to Business.com’s 2009 social media study it is now known that nearly 50% of adults participate in social media with 25% of those doing so weekly. Business people utilise social media today to find business-relevant information and to talk with peers and colleagues. There is no question about whether social media will be adopted and accepted as a communication channel.
Achieving success by utilising social media channels is all about understanding how to take advantage of this new media. Business owners and marketers now need all the help they can get to understand top social media activities, social media initiatives, benchmarking experience with social media for business, and how to measure social media success.

Various social media channels are successfully utilised to build brands, engage with customers, and promote products and services. It is unlikely to find a successful business that is not listed on a social network. Mobile phone technology also contributes to the rapid growth of social media. Most mobile phones are now equipped with internet capabilities, and come with Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as standard features.

Social media communication channels are growing at an exponential rate, and it is safe to conclude that a business without a social media profile simply does not exist.


Pierre Fourie is a leading marketing and advertising consultant based in Johannesburg South Africa. He is highly regarded for his expert knowledge on Digital Out Of Home (DOOH) systems and his ability to conceptualise and execute marketing / advertising strategies. Pierre was dubbed the “digital expert” on developing content strategies and promoting branding concepts for private digital advertising networks, including Planet Fitness Gyms and The More Golf Group. His background in the electronics engineering field of study, combined with more than 10 years experience as a business owner, entrepreneur and media expert is reflected on his personal blog: http://mediamarketingandsales.blogspot.com