Over the past year or two I have jumped on the social media bandwagon in a big way. At first I got caught up in the rush of seeing my number of contacts grow on my Linkedin, Facebook and other networks. I quickly learned that sheer numbers was an ego thing and that I wanted to use social networking for business reasons. Thus, I put together a set of objectives for my social marketing, developed my own rules and set out to see if this works.

It does.

Based on my experiences, my words of advice for you and everyone else who is trying to use social marketing for business reasons is to remember that social marketing is just another suite of business tools. Set objectives, goals, rules of engagement, sucess measurements and a clear plan of action. Then implement it with the same vigor and consistancy as you would any other business plan.

For me, I wanted social media to help me build the Trusted Business Advisor network. In particular, I wanted to:

• Find experienced channel marketers who would contribute fabulous grass roots articles and I found about 75.
• Find channel gurus who would become Ambassadors/Agents for the program and I was tremendously successful as I found Lisa Robb ... and a few others.
• Spread the word to senior channel sales and marketing people within the Vendor and Distribution arena and have found 100s through social marketing.
• Reach out to VARs and tell them about the program and how it will grow their business with virtually no cost and very little effort ... and reached 1,000s of them.

The thing that we all must understanding is that social marketing is part of a solution and your commitmemt to yourself to succeed.

Keep on blogging and let me know what you think about social marketing ,as it relates to the channel.

Cheers.

In response to Kerry Hartley's comments "Dear Bob I find your articals regarding social networking enticing, but how do you find the time. I too run a business, and it seems their is never enough hours in a day, to get all the things I want to get done. I am a sucessful marketing pro and pioneer in IT for 36 years. I have been a pioneer in groups like to AIM, ASM, AIAG, NCAVD, USGA Golf nut and I also happen to be a decorated Marine Vietnam veteran. But with 5 children, 9 grandchildren, a slew of golf, IT, and veteran buddies, my plate is pretty full. However, I am not against learning new techniques, if it will result in more business. At 63 years old, I still love this business and the chase of putting deals and new solutions together that make my customers look like Rock stars. Bob, it seems you have some simalar experience in this business, and have developed a very good understanding of the social networking penonen. But what have you learned about it, and how have you personally benifited versus how your business has benifited. Best regards Kerry " Robert M. Cohen replies: Hi Kerry: Thanx for the response. At some point soon, I would like to have a conference call with you to find out more about what you do. From a business perspective, social media works great for me providing that I have clear objectives, goals and a strong implementation plan. From a personal perspective, I tend to shy away from social media. I run a lot, play a ton of hockey, swim and spend as much time as possible with my family. I suppose that when it comes to my personal life, I like the human touch and try to stay as far away from social media as I can. Cheers. Robert M. Cohen President & Business Editor rcohen@integratedmar.com Integrated mar.com Corporation office: 905-763-1200 ext. 226 toll free: 800-465-2059 cell: 416-568-2059 Posted by Robert M. Cohen at 11:14am

Dear Bob I find your articals regarding social networking enticing, but how do you find the time. I too run a business, and it seems their is never enough hours in a day, to get all the things I want to get done. I am a sucessful marketing pro and pioneer in IT for 36 years. I have been a pioneer in groups like to AIM, ASM, AIAG, NCAVD, USGA Golf nut and I also happen to be a decorated Marine Vietnam veteran. But with 5 children, 9 grandchildren, a slew of golf, IT, and veteran buddies, my plate is pretty full. However, I am not against learning new techniques, if it will result in more business. At 63 years old, I still love this business and the chase of putting deals and new solutions together that make my customers look like Rock stars. Bob, it seems you have some simalar experience in this business, and have developed a very good understanding of the social networking penonen. But what have you learned about it, and how have you personally benifited versus how your business has benifited. Best regards Kerry Posted by Kerry Hartley at 9:47am