2.22 billion – that’s the number of social media users around the globe. With one third of the World’s population now firmly aboard the social media train can you and your business really afford to not jump on board?
erpecnews has recently started out on our own social media journey. Our Twitter page @erpecnewslive launched at the beginning of June, but the decision to launch was not one taken lightly. The problem is not the set-up, it’s the maintenance and it is difficult to know whether it’s worth adding more to the plate of an already over-stretched marcomms department – a concern we know is shared by many of our colleagues in the industry. After careful consideration we started small and opted for Twitter and LinkedIn. Twitter for the sharing of news, features and video content currently housed on our shiny new website www.erpecnewslive.com and LinkedIn to share information and to act as a forum for attendess ahead of idac and erpec 2017 in Amsterdam.
Alas, we can’t all be the Kim Kardashians of this world. She boasts an incredible 37.9 million social media followers and can demand up to $200,000 for just one endorsement post. However even with just a handful of followers it is important to recognise the value social media can bring. Our coverage of UNITI expo allowed us to engage with our advertisers in a way we had never done before. Rather than waiting to post videos and interviews in the days and weeks following the event, everything was posted instantly allowing us to leverage the virtual chatter that was already taking place. This meant product news and information could travel even further, reaching new audiences.
Speaking with buyers at the event, it was clear that social media is now seen as an effective way to find out about the latest news in the industry.
Antti Moppel, Chairman of Olerex in Estonia now sees Twitter as his go to news source, he said “For me, Twitter is the first source for reading the most important headlines and market news, and this helps me to find the further links to the more detailed articles. Reading Twitter has become so efficient that this has replaced many other internet sources I used to read before.”
Indeed the beauty of Twitter is it’s simplicity, allowing readers to take in vast sums of information quickly – ideal for those with limited time who also need to keep a finger on the pulse of the industry.
The digital disruption has already seen a number of companies fall by the wayside. The rise of Netflix has meant the end for Blockbuster. Similarly in many areas of London the word ‘Uber’ is uttered with disdain as the traditional black cabbies continue to feel the effects of the digital revolution. The retail petroleum industry is constantly striving to push technology boundaries that, whilst revolutionary, are often only initially adopted by the market leaders. However it is important that the capabilities are in place to ensure the industry is ready to move with the trends as they arise. Whilst the industry may be slow on the social media uptake it is important in our position as a premier news outlet that we too are ready to adapt to new ways of working.
Speaking with Pedro Pacheco, EMENA Marketing Director for Gilbarco Veeder-Root he highlighted the importance of social media to their business: “At Gilbarco Veeder-Root, we see social media as an essential tool that puts us even closer to our customers, ensuring a fluid two-way communication. We are present on several social media platforms that enable us to divulge information at a speed never seen before. Although current results are already rewarding, they are just the beginning. As internet and social media expand reach across countries and age brackets, their impact will be even more greatly felt on our business and our society”.
Social media though is not all about business.One thing we can learn from the Kardashians is how to gain more followers. Whilst it is important to not compromise your brand positioning a friendly tone, two way engagement and a few fun tweets are essential to keep followers interested. UNITI expo for example provided an ample amount of content with parties, live music and foosball tables and it’s great to share this lighter side of the industry in amongst the business posts.
Hopefully this has inspired you to join as we venture further into the world of social media.
This article was originally published as a feature article in the June/July issue of erpecnews
Share this:
