Getting started with Social Media for your business

UPDATE 30 April 08: You can find the latest report HERE.
Our thanks to Aaron Uhrmacher from text100.typepad.com for the highlight!

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I came across this excellent report by Universal McCann on TEXT100 PR on Social Media: "In a global view on social media - Asia rules"

It shows Asia as being a strong player in the social media platform. However, with this vast number of people, communities, information and networks, how do we start tapping them effectively?

It's important to START. Just like how important it was to get started online during the dot.com days. You just need to get started.

Social Media is fairly new and I dare not say there is a 'sure win' strategy.

However, as a marketer, it's only natural that we constantly find out how consumers are interacting these days. And I don't mean surfing patterns. We need to dig deeper into online communities, views, opinions and much more. It should be a passion and our instinct.

Here's how I would do it (with the assumption of product life-cycle, product knowledge, target audience, business objectives, budget, time frame and go-to-market plans):

1. Research: Google it. Ask friends. Surf competitor sites. Find out where the online 'passion' for the product/service is residing.

2. Identify: Fish out community groups, sites, social media platforms that have a high traffic, strong opinions (good and bad).

3. Understand: Understand their emotions. Think in their shoes. Discover how users share their information (Are most of them on Facebook or Twitter). What are their pains and joys in their life? How would you fit in? If I were them, what would I do in that situation?

4. Profile: With the information, profile the users based on the 'online research'. Age, Sex, Location, Do they drive? Kids? Holidays? Work? etc. Basically, study the information and profile them in tiers or segments that fits.

5. Get involved: You don't need much of a plan for this. Just get involved as YOURSELF. Don't pretend to be someone else. It's through this you will fully understand the community. Make friends.

6. Build your own network: Once you got it going, start interesting topics or groups, rally support for your ideas. Be YOURSELF. No one likes a poser. Be sincere.

7. Identify opinion and thought leaders: Not you, but in the social network. They have the power to give a 'stamp of authority'.

8. Be a good friend, be one of them, your users, your customer: It's simple, as time goes by, people will know you, find out more about you and accept you for who you are. Remember, you are YOU. Not the MD or Manager for a company trying to fish things out or sell a product.

In a nutshell, this could be a potential approach. It would take time, but if you run your own business or represent a company that you are passionate about, it's something you should do naturally.

It's not selling, spying or even being a 'corporate whore'. It's about understanding people, potential users, being a friend, finding some truth on thoughts and perception.

It's not an online survey where you stand to win a prize after completing it. Its raw, simple and all about people.

How would you do it? We'll love to hear from you.