Stuart: Looking forward to Social Media for IT Pros.

-TVG

Cheers

Stuart Crawford

Axel. I agree that websites are not so critical any more. Many reseller websites are just not good enough to be the end point of a social media campaign. (Maybe Stuart can help some resellers with this.) Blogsites, Social Media hubs and online communities are useful extensions of websites and maybe even replacements. And a lot of social media activity is person-to-person communication that does not involve a website, hub, or anything else.

IMHO, the number of followers or friends is not as important as the business experience of the “coach.” So, inspired by your list, I compiled my own at http://www.gilwellgroup.com. We also found and posted a video on the subject which is really very funny.

Thanks for the jolt. You really made me think about this subject. http://xeesm.com/mikedubrall

Axel@13: No website? Say it ain’t so. The VAR Guy thinks online presence should always start with a company’s website. Those other tools (FaceBook, Twitter, etc.) may come and go through acquisition. User loyalties shift. Control your own website, and you’ll always control your business destiny.

TheNetworkingQueen@14: The VAR Guy likes you name. And your attitude.

Harry Brelsford@15: Harry, your social media pipelines back to SMBnation.com are a prime example of social media done right…

Stuart@16: No need to thank The VAR Guy for the shout out. Best wishes with your social media business.
-TVG

The real value of social media will be when we stop the debate, focus on communication, finding new ways to reach those in the community and making sure our brands and reputation stay clean and when problems arise, they are dealt with.

Thanks again Varguy for the shout out…

Stuart Crawford
Ulistic Inc.
http://www.ulistic.com

Again – really enjoyed the read.

Let me add a Facebook tip: If they are telling YOU to get a Fan Page but don’t have one – RED FLAG! If their Profile Page has under 500 Friends, or Fan or Group Pages are, and they are saying they can help you get to 5000 or more – RED FLAG! Do “due diligence” before you hire someone. Check references. See their work. Find out the “Before I hired them…and after…” stories.

eMarketer.com posted yesterday stats that 51% of B2B Marketers found Facebook to be most effective. With LinkedIn and Twitter following. (http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1007572)

GREAT POST & GREAT ADVICE, VAR Guy!!!

I look forward to reading more.

1) Twitter suggestion – good one. Check the ratio even beyond the 2,000 mark

2) I agree with Seam – RSS is an information feed to read stuff – not so social. A good tool though.

3) If Social Media is a traffic highway to your website – I guess “marketing 1.0″ would be the better term. So I would definitely be a social media expert fraud – because I would indeed ignore the website in the first place. Actually would suggest somebody does just fine even with NO website

4) OK a rather tactical question but sure they have to know.

5) Caution – If you are looking for a social media marketing freak, they have a few examples sure – but if you are looking for a social media strategist, they may not be able to talk about former engagements. But they are then referred by word of moth and if neither exist – walk away.

6 / 7) Ok – a bit lame though.

Here is a list that was put together about two years ago by 15 or so social media consultants who are all in the trenches.

http://socialmedia-academy.pbworks.com/How-to-evaluate-a-social-media-consultant
It may need some update but another good resource

However since I will not make it through the VarGuy checklist it may not be that relevant. But on the other side I’m neither an expert nor a Guru – only a social media student.

Axel
http://xeesm.com/AxelS

“But The VAR Guy does know how to spot the industry fakers. There are plenty of ‘em out there.”

So true. And I welcome the debate. However, my concern is that by focusing on the superficial elements (i.e. twitter followers, automating feeds, platforms, blog design) you’re actually helping these opportunistic/deluded types.

Regardless, I totally accept the thrust of your article and appreciate any attempt to cast a light on the fakers!

Simon@10: The VAR Guy welcomes the debate. Your point about using social media as part of a broader corporate marketing/business strategy is absolutely on the mark.Our resident blogger never claimed to be a social media expert. But The VAR Guy does know how to spot the industry fakers. There are plenty of ‘em out there.
-TVG