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Just interested in knowing how up to date Social Networking distributors are. We hear social networking sites being a powerful tool in keeping clients updated with almost instant happenings with the "going-ons" in the marketing aspect of a company. Providing instant messaging on a new product, or a closeout, or just a quick line to say hello. It's definitely tempting to consider doing this service as a supplier, as seems only appropriate.
But from the distributor standpoint. With e-mail spams, phone calls, SmartBlast Spams, paper catalogs, snail mail... and lord knows whatever else I am missing here....
Would distributors be willing to sign up for Twitter / Facebook for suppliers too?
__________________
Alex Symms
KTI NETWORKS
SE Regional Sales Manger
713-275-2706
713-266-3893
Check out my INNOVATION BLOG and learn how to sell technology, who to sell to, and case studies!!
Your global leader in High Tech promotional products!
Just interested in knowing how up to date Social Networking distributors are. We hear social networking sites being a powerful tool in keeping clients updated with almost instant happenings with the "going-ons" in the marketing aspect of a company. Providing instant messaging on a new product, or a closeout, or just a quick line to say hello. It's definitely tempting to consider doing this service as a supplier, as seems only appropriate.
But from the distributor standpoint. With e-mail spams, phone calls, SmartBlast Spams, paper catalogs, snail mail... and lord knows whatever else I am missing here....
Would distributors be willing to sign up for Twitter / Facebook for suppliers too?
We already communicate with some suppliers in this way. The problem with twitter is, you really cannot control who follows you so you would need everything to be end user friendly. I say go for it though! We would follow you!
__________________
Chris Miller, GMAS
(Grand Master Advertising Specialist)
I'm probably behind everyone else when it comes to Twitter and Facebook...just signed up on Facebook because I received a request to be a "friend" and was curious. I haven't found any conversations or contacts that I'd deem worthwhile - mostly just chatter!
I've also been receiving numerous emails from suppliers with their Twitter/Facebook sites. If I'm looking for information from my suppliers I want to go directly to their site - to me it's more important that they keep their websites up to date.
So far...l really haven't found any benefits associated with online social networking and probably won't take the time to log on. I already have more than enough on my plate.
I'm probably behind everyone else when it comes to Twitter and Facebook...just signed up on Facebook because I received a request to be a "friend" and was curious. I haven't found any conversations or contacts that I'd deem worthwhile - mostly just chatter!
I've also been receiving numerous emails from suppliers with their Twitter/Facebook sites. If I'm looking for information from my suppliers I want to go directly to their site - to me it's more important that they keep their websites up to date.
So far...l really haven't found any benefits associated with online social networking and probably won't take the time to log on. I already have more than enough on my plate.
Benefits of being involved with Social Network:
Since you are a distributor:
- you can be aware of your client's marketplace trend then you can make an intelligent choice on what products to offer. having this you gain loyalty and sustainability.
- customer service, phone and email is great but through this you increase your access to solutions (who doesn't want that?) because everyone else can share case studies/opinions that would benefit you
- websites aren't mobile phone friendly - twitter is.
- Facebook's search engine is now rivaling Google's
- it can reveal what competitors do and you can improve your company's performance.
We've recently dipped into the social media swimming pool by launching a Facebook and Twitter site. We're doing it because we had so many requests to do so from our distributors and we felt that it would be another option for our clients to use to communicate with us.
There were concerns about end users coming upon our sites, but that's the same as our website. We keep everything end-user friendly (meaning no phone numbers published, prices are all retail, etc). To us, it is an extension of our website with a little more personality and some interaction to it!
So far, no end users have directly contacted us but it's hard to say if any are following us on Twitter (aside from the occasional spammer!).
We are enjoying it and hope our distributors are too!
Times are changing and news is getting older, faster. I found out about the whole Norwood/Bic situation on Twitter an entire hour earlier than any of the 'Breaking News' newsletters or email were sent out.
__________________ Melissa Banning Marketing Manager of New Owner Development
8800 E Pleasant Valley Road • Cleveland, OH44131
ph 800.825.1525 ext 3259 • fax 216.520.8474 mbanning@proforma.com•www.onlyproforma.com
I do not follow twitter but use facebook and add them all the time. Lots of interestingnews and sales etc. I use facebook for my ASI ditributor specials for my contract screenprinting, embroidery, vinyl cutting, digitizing, artwork and direct to garment printing. I have sales and vidoes of how things work and pics etc. It has has brought me some business and also keeps me in contact with my customers on a more personal level.
my facebook is superemb
and the company one is SUper Embroidery and Screenprinting
We have a company Facebook and Twitter page. Neither has generated any business. Twitter is very useful when Suppliers post sales, new products, or product ideas. I don't follow suppliers on Facebook since it is used on a personal connection rather than business. Both sites allow us to post specials and ideas to our followers. Both are fun to use!
Facebook page is Premier Embroidered Apparel
Twitter is PremierApparel
We have a company Facebook and Twitter page. Neither has generated any business. Twitter is very useful when Suppliers post sales, new products, or product ideas. I don't follow suppliers on Facebook since it is used on a personal connection rather than business. Both sites allow us to post specials and ideas to our followers. Both are fun to use!
Facebook page is Premier Embroidered Apparel
Twitter is PremierApparel
Follow us on Twitter (@neetfeet). We constantly post product ideas, how to sell ideas, for distributors (and also co-marketing with distributors who found it very beneficial).
You will figure out that I am not a techie person by this question:
to use Twitter, is it mandatory to have texting on your cell phone?
I have chosen not to text, but am addicted to email.
Margie... you do not have to text to tweet. Just go to twitter.com and sign up. You can customize your profile very easily and then you can tweet from there. Then make sure to add Beacon to your following list
twitter.com/BeaconPromo
Hope this helps
__________________
"We will earn distributors' trust through sustained performance on each and every order."
Both Twitter and Facebook have been amazing tools for us. We have been able to connect with tons of industry people this way! At both the ASI Orlando Show and the PPAI Expo, people were coming by our booth just to meet their twitter/FB friend!
I think if you are consistent and use these outlets to provide VALUABLE information, both Twitter and Facebook can end up being very worth while.
Margie... you do not have to text to tweet. Just go to twitter.com and sign up. You can customize your profile very easily and then you can tweet from there. Then make sure to add Beacon to your following list
twitter.com/BeaconPromo
Hope this helps
Thank you! You can be sure Beacon would be on my list
We have been using social media for a little over a year to generate business. I was on Facebook in 2004 when it came out because I was in college and it was the new trending thing. That was when the actual college had to sign up for Facebook and you had to have a .edu email account to sign up. Now that Facebook is open to the entire world, it is an amazing tool if utilized properly.
The same is true for Twitter. Some people see Twitter as a bunch of random messages with people saying what they are eating for lunch. People don't realize what a valuable search tool www.search.twitter.com is. You can see what people are saying about your company, what your competitors are talking about, and what is trending. This is also a great way to interact with your customers in "real-time". We love interacting with our customers via Social Media (Facebook & Twitter) and see this not necessarily as a "trend", but how people will be doing business on a daily basis.
If you are new to social media, I would suggest reading Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk. This is a short, fast read that will explain how social media is changing the way people do business. I would highly recommend it.
"Companies that advertised aggressively during the 1981 and 1982 recession had sales 256% higher than those that did not continue to advertise."
Source: McGraw Hill Research Study, 1980 to 1985.
I find this very interesting and timely as we are just implementing some new marketing strategies here. The thing that concerns me as well is trying to actively market new ideas and products, but keeping it end user friendly/safe. That is why I thought I would start back here at DT since we know the group. Regardless, I think I'm seeing more reasons for diving in then not so, look for Executive Line on Facebook and Twitter soon!
We have been using social media for a little over a year to generate business. I was on Facebook in 2004 when it came out because I was in college and it was the new trending thing. That was when the actual college had to sign up for Facebook and you had to have a .edu email account to sign up. Now that Facebook is open to the entire world, it is an amazing tool if utilized properly.
The same is true for Twitter. Some people see Twitter as a bunch of random messages with people saying what they are eating for lunch. People don't realize what a valuable search tool www.search.twitter.com is. You can see what people are saying about your company, what your competitors are talking about, and what is trending. This is also a great way to interact with your customers in "real-time". We love interacting with our customers via Social Media (Facebook & Twitter) and see this not necessarily as a "trend", but how people will be doing business on a daily basis.
If you are new to social media, I would suggest reading Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk. This is a short, fast read that will explain how social media is changing the way people do business. I would highly recommend it.
