Librarians, others hone online social networking skills

Shan Coughlin gave a group of Marion County librarians and business owners guidance on building client relationships by using the Internet’s Facebook and Twitter.

Using technology, she said, it is easy to put the two “social media” programs to work as a help to business owners in connecting with clients and building better relationships. Those relationship could lead to new sales and more money, but primarily foster improved relationships, she told the group, gathered in the Marion County Library in Marion on Aug. 27.

Coughlin, who works for C.A.S.E. Solutions, a full-service advertising and marketing firm in Litchfield Beach, provided the information and answered questions in a three-hour in-service training for the librarians and workshop for the business leaders.

Small businesses, government agencies, non-profits and individuals are figuring out that these online social media tools can be used to communicate with customers, residents, employees and friends, she said.

The “Social Media Boot Camp” was a hands-on practical workshop, that helped those in the room with no Twitter or Facebook experience walk away with new networking tools and Internet pages from which to “socialize.“ For those already with a Facebook page or Twitter account, there was much to learn about proper use, “best practices,“ and how to make online social networking effective, meaningful and productive.

What you might say and do on a personal social sight may not be appropriate on a business one, Coughlin said.

The Boot Camp was sponsored by Clemson Institute for Economic & Community Development, Clemson Extension Service. The social media workshop was one that grew out of a series of three “E-Commerce” workshops, sponsored earlier this year by various Marion County organizations, including the Clemson Extension office.

Beth Stedman, with Clemson University, welcomed the group of 28 and gave a plug for an expanded library, as folks gathered into the Library’s cramp multi-media space with laptops and computers. The Library is in the midst of a capital campaign to grow its facilities.

Coughlin said while some businesses may use the social sites for “couponing” or discounting services, the better use of a Facebook page or Twitter site is to communicate with customers.
First there was direct mail, then e-mail blasts, she explained. “Now there’s Facebook and Twitter.“

If you find the sites aren’t working for you as intended, she said, you can always delete them. One of Coughlin’s best use techniques for the site is to tell stories or testimonials of services provided. Another she offered was the linking to other sites that page “fans” might be interested it.

“Keep your page interesting and offering information and that’ll keep fans visiting your site,“ she said. Additionally, the Facebook site offers “insights,“ which helps the page administrator to track visits to the page and what visitors are doing while there.

Unlike an e-mail blasts that may go to people who are uninterested in hearing from you, Coughlin said twittering and being on Facebook allows folks to “opt in,“ meaning they are interested in what you doing or saying. She likened talking to people on Facebook as having several telephone conversations and Twitter as being a message board.

The library recently catalogued books on how to use social media, a librarian noted during the workshop.

“You have a captive audience,“ Coughlin said. “It’s easy to survey your fan base and evaluate your business.“ To learn more about C.A.S.E and what they offer, visit http://www.CASE.com .