Everyone is talking about it – the successful Twitter Party! But what the fuss is all about?

The so called Twitter Parties are innovative, highly influential and fun virtual parties, using the Twitter platform. A recent Social Media trend the Twitter conversation is grouped around a topic hashtag, sponsored or led by a brand. It discusses a selected topic, providing the audience an opportunity to interact with the brand in real time, ask questions, share tips and potentially win a prize.

Usually it has a party host as well as expert panellists and / or brand representative. As an option, the #hashtag conversation could be run by an influential blogger within the target audience, where the brand partners with the blogger, sponsoring the online event. Small prizes are usually used as additional stimuli for online interaction.

Twitter users tweet with a specified hashtag (#) for the party in order to discuss the selected and pre-announced a topic of choice. The rest of the twitter users use the hashtag in order to search and join the conversation

We are now planning another exiting Twitter Party #back2schooltips engaging with mums to share their tips about making the Back to School euphoria less stressful and more enjoyable – for both parents and kids. The party is planned for end of August and will be hosted by @GreenKiddie. So if you are an eco-friendly brand with products or services suitable to the topic, and are interested in taking part in the Twitter Party, please get in touch not later than 14^th August. There are various way to take part – from just supplying a prize to sponsoring/ owning the Twitter Party.

What it means for the brands

So far many Twitter parties have been trending on Twitter, making their way to the top trends and increasing significantly the brand online visibility. At >incite we’ve run successful Twitter Parties for brands like BornFree (#colic-free) and Graco Baby (#kidstravelsafe).

The key benefits for a brand are:

-       Minimal investment/ maximum impact

-       Twitter parties are an excellent way to drive awareness to your products or introduce new ones, start a conversation about your niche, or get better acquainted with an enthusiastic group of people

-       When hosted by an influential mummy blogger within the target community, such as greenkiddie, you will benefit from a “mum-to-mum” approach, already built and established online community members and message credibility (i.e. word-of-mouth)

To discuss your involvement as a brand, please email Nataliya at nataliya (at) incite-marketing(.)co(.)uk

Social Media is not just about “spreading the word” about your brand. Engagement with consumers in real time is much more important and this is what adds value to your business. Going into Social Media is much like having a “love affair” with your public. They need to feel well when being around your brand. Which are the 5 main rules for establishing “loving and lasting” relationship with your consumers through social media. –

Research and plan

Researching on what your public is interested, and planning your social media campaign around that, is probably “half a battle won”. Research for where your customers go, which websites, forums, social media… and be there! Don’t waste your time on sites where your target audience would never go – like gaming space if you are targeting mums with babies and toddlers (do you think they would have time for games). If you are in the beauty industry, for instance, see if your consumers are interested in things like any potential side effects of your products on the skin, impact on environment and animal testing. If there are any concerns about is, explain your point of view in a friendly conversation. But it is important not to lie! Always…

Be Honest

Telling people the truth (in this case about your company, services or products) is the essential for building your reputation and positive image. People will trust you that way. And what is more important – if you ever make a mistake, they would be more prone to “forgive” you.

Engage

Have something to say? – Then say it in an interesting and engaging way. Don’t just throw random messages in the social media space. Every post in your blog, Tweeter message or LinkedIn discussion should be planned around your social media strategy (yes, you need to have one). Respond to question and comments from people visiting your social media networking sites, commend other posts in competitors’ blogs, re-tweet and share. Use tools and widgets to spread the word as fast and wide as possible like having a “share” button next to your posts, or connecting your tweeter, facebook and LinkedIn accounts, so that your say will reach everyone at once.

Listen, listen, listen

Well, talking and sharing ideas is important, but it is now time to start listening to your public, too. Unhappy customer? – see why, think about the reasons and answer immediately. Show respect and understanding – everyone would appreciate it and would feel flattered by your attention.

Be One Step Ahead of Competitors

Monitoring what competitors do, track your reputation by using online tools or software. Trackur, twitrrart, trendpedia, socialmention, buzzlogic insights, xefer, streamwall, socialminder, blogpulse, or even simple google alerts could be of great help in that. See what the trends are, what consumers in your industry are interested in, and what competitors are already doing, and be “one step ahead”. Provide more information, interact, proved an extra attention. This “extra” effort might do the job and make you the winner.

Sounds much like being in a relationship, doesn’t it?

ECircle: brands need to effectively integrate email and social media networks

The digital marketing company’s report, conducted with Mediacom Science, analysed responses from more than 1,000 UK consumers to reveal how they interact with brands via social media and email.

It revealed that 73% of respondents could be reached through social networks and 95% check their emails once a day, yet very few brands were effectively integrating email with social networks.

Almost three-quarters of the respondents used email to receive notifications for social networks, and the majority still used email for private communication and online purchases.

The research also found that 32% of those active on social networks were fans or followers of a brand. The majority of them were motivated by functional reasons, such as gaining a discount, while 25% were motivated by the desire to demonstrate and share their attachment to the brand with contacts.

It found that very few people were using sharing features, suggesting that brands were also failing to effectively optimise email marketing tools.

Volker Wiewer, chief executive of eCircle, said: “When effectively integrated, social media and email can create a potent combination. However, our research suggests that brands are yet to truly utilise the power of these channels working together.”

(This post was firts published at BrandRepublic)