Nowadays, it seems as if wherever one turns, he is bombarded with some aspect of social media. But just what social media is and what it means in the world of flooring, especially for a small business, are two of the main questions the industry is trying to answer. Over the last year, just about every industry gathering that includes an educational component features something on social media as business owners large and small grapple with the issue.
The most prevalent, and the main reason for all this hysteria, is from another term ballyhooed just as much, if not more: social networking. Despite what many people think and how they act, social networking and social media are not exactly the same thing. Social media is really an overarching idea/concept and social networking is just one component under this massive umbrella.
(Editor’s note: Some also refer to social media as Web 2.0. This is not entirely correct either. Just as social networking is part of the framework that comprises social media, social media is part of the fabric that makes up Web 2.0. But, because they are all close enough to each other and for the sake of trying to keep things simple for this Guide, they may be used interchangeably throughout. When a difference needs to be distinguished it will be noted as such.)Similar to the green/eco movement, social networking is not the end all panacea for any particular company or industry, rather it is an important cog that can help make a business reach new levels of success—or failure— if not managed correctly.
Like it or not, social media is here to stay; it is a force that needs to be grasped and welcomed by all types of businesses. As an owner or salesperson, look at it as a set of tools to help grow your business with new customers and strengthen your relationships with existing clients. The difference compared to previous advertising efforts is, while most had only one function—running an ad in the phone book, for example— there are many facets to the world of social media.
That is where this Guide comes in. Think of it as an introduction to the world of social media. The idea is to give you an overview of the more popular facets of the social media world to help you make a more informed decision about the direction in which you want to take your strategy. Just because something is popular does not mean it is right for your business or market. Plus, there are so many possibilities it is impossible and impractical to jump into all, even most, of them. By concentrating on the one, two or three that are right for your company, you can make more of a positive impact.
What makes this Guide different from the myriad of books, videos and reports being released everyday on the subject? While many explain and give tips on the value social media is having on business today and the impact it will have down the road, this Guide goes one step beyond by focusing on the impact this phenomenon can have within the flooring industry.
