subject: Social Media Changed Partner Portal Strategies [print this page] Social Media Changed Partner Portal Strategies
Social Media or the so-called Web 2.0 applications are undoubtedly changing the consumer's behavior. Channel strategies have to adapt to the dynamic environment created by the Internet's presence. What are going obsolete? Traditional sales techniques, local sales territories, and named accounts are giving way to virtual customer communities, small but frequent deals, and citing expert opinions. In technology, packaged and complex software needing installations are being replaced by Software as a Service (SaaS), Hardware as a Service (HaaS), cloud computing, and open source technology.
In channel marketing, social media, partner virtual communities, wikis, RSS feeds, Twitter, etc. are in and partner portals, lead generation, and classroom training are heading out. It was only a few year ago when consumers search items on the net to find information on the product but still visit the actual store to buy it. Now, users read blogs, forums, ask friends on their social network and buy the product directly from the website.
Social networking is hardly a new concept. People have been socializing with one another since the Stone Age. What is new, however, is social media. The internet combined with the natural human behavior, socializing, created new forms of communication where people interact in a virtual world. Virtual communities cropped up to provide space to collaborate and communicate. The communities have varied purpose; for business, social, educational activities.
Social Media affects all three level of the channel marketing chain.
Vendors
Vendors can use social media for brand distribution. Every company even the Fortune 500 ones have a Facebook and Twitter account. Each time they have announcements, they can readily change their status and people who are subscribed to them can view it. What's even more compelling is that not all members in Twitter and Facebook receive the message, only the subscriber which means that the vendors can reach their target audience and not just blindly market their product to everyone.
Channel
Channels can use their blogs, Facebook and Twitter accounts to provide additional service to customers. If the customers have questions about a certain product, they can reply right away at no additional cost. It also promotes development through customer advocacy. In keeping the existing customers happy, the customers in turn, will provide a positive review of the product and extra service included. It's almost like the traditional word-of-mouth marketing, only it is done virtually.
Customers
The direct beneficiary of social media is no doubt, the customer. Through their expanded network, there are more sources of credible information especially in product reviews. The customer has increased recognition which means the vendor will have a more comprehensive view of the customers' needs.
The most important benefit that social media created is the ease and efficiency of communication. In every partnership or relationship, be it vendor-partner, partner-customer, or vendor-customer relationship, the most essential aspect is the ability to communicate problems and solutions.
Vendors must find ways to integrate these Web 2.0 technologies in their partner portals, websites, and customer service cen
Now Pay Close Attention --
Using your Facebook Fan Page to increase your business exposure and revenue is simpler than you've been told. Everyone with a facebook fan page faces the same two problems:
[Problem #1] How To Find Interested Facebook Users
[Problem #2] How To Bring Them To Become Your Fans
Facebook Fan Supply has been solving these two problems for hundreds of satisfied customers. The Facebook Fan Supply has been tried and tested and known to produce excellent results.
First: Click Here For Facebook Fans
Facebook Fan Supply always supplies REAL FANS targeted to your specific: Age Group, Keyword and Location.
Second: Order Your Facebook Fan Supply Package of 1,000; 2,000 or 5,000 Guaranteed Facebook Fans
Your new fans will arrive in 3 - 4 weeks and all fans are REAL FANS guaranteed to stick to your fanpage. Buy Facebook Fans today and boost your businesses online presence overnight.
