One of the first serious academic studies on Corporate Social Media.

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research recently conducted one of the first statistically significant, longitudinal studies on the usage of social media in corporations.

“This research proves conclusively that social media has penetrated parts of the business world at a tremendous speed. It also indicates that corporate familiarity with and usage of social media within the Inc. 500 has nearly doubled in the past 12 months.”

http://www.umassd.edu/cmr/studiesresearch/blogstudy5.cfm

NBC spoke to Phil Mooney about The Coca-Conversations Blog featured in this national story.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#25786242

Connect with your customers by authentic participation in social networks.

Embrace the two-way communication of social networking and begin a conversation with your customers.   They are already using these new technologies (blogs, social networks, etc).   Marketing AT your customers just doesn’t work anymore and you need to join the online community through authentic participation.  Turn your consumers into “fansumers” as they connect around your brand.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Start small - Take it one step at a time with a single idea.
2. Keep it Simple - Pick a single objective and expand what you learn to other parts of the company.
3. Start at the top - Make sure key leadership is on board.
4. Invite Detractors - Tough-sell departments (* cough* Legal) should participate in the process.
5. Hurry! - Speed is of the essence… Move quickly
6. Adapt - make changes based on customer feedback.
7. Connect - make friends & have fun.

Social and environmental responsibilities are a big part of corporate communications but the message isn’t getting out there. It may be hard to admit, but inside of most of your companies, there is some sort of divide between departments.

Now more than ever, companies are striving to appear more aware in their business practices, when one hand doesn’t talk to the other, the miscommunication gets amplified once it reaches the outside. Freeworld helps bridge the gap when the technology and marketing departments are kept apart.

What companies are you seeing that are doing a great job of managing their corporate social communications?

Phil Mooney sat down to discuss the Coca-Cola Conversations blog with Bowen Craggs & Co.

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