One of my favorite LinkedIn groups for industry discussions is FUTURE SOCIAL MEDIA. In a recent conversation, group members offered the social media questions most asked of them.

Can you answer any of these 15 questions?

Are any of these YOUR own questions?

1. Is Social Media a buzz or here to stay?

2. Does marketing through Social Media really work?

3. Is Social Media just for kids or there is a business element?

4. What is the ROI on Social Media activities?

5. How can you track revenue from social media activities?

6. How can I find my target audience(s)?

7. What are the most important metrics I should measure?

8. How has social media affected customer buying decisions?

9. How do I rise above the noise that I see on social media channels?

10. How much time does it take to generate leads via social media platforms?

11. How many likes can you get me?? How many followers can you get me on Twitter by the end of the week?

12. If SM is FREE, why do you charge? That one is like a slap on the face. Lol.

13. With so many self-proclaimed “Social Media Gurus/Ninjas/Experts” what questions are important to ask a company that is trying to sell me Social Media services?

14. Will social media kill email as we know it?

15. Can social media help me do my job better?

One of the main reasons I posted these FAQ’s is because so many business people still “fear” social media — and don’t know how to get past the uncertainty of the revolutionary new world of marketing.

Best practice is to get started, but go slowly and get these questions answered. Plan your strategy and participation . . . and don’t expect immediate results.

BTW, if any readers have written — or have found — articles to answer any of these questions, please list these resources in the comment section below.

Late Postscript: Here is a comment from a typical member of my primary target audience:
“I feel like a lot of businesses, unfortunately, recognized the value of Social Media a little too late, and are trying to get in when the market has been saturated. I have a love/hate relationship with Social Media myself; while I utilize FB and LinkedIn, I’m not on Twitter, or some of the other media sites as of yet. I love the accessibility factor: that those who visit both of my sites can share the articles I’ve written with others around the world instantaneously. I hate the fact that I feel as if my entire life is on public display, and as a very private person, I take issue with ALL of my info being accessible ALL of the time.” —posted 6/16 by Angela Bendon

A few weeks ago, I felt like I’d died and gone to Heaven.

That’s the sensation one has when a passion is being filled to the brimming [tipping?] point.

For a student of the Social Media Revolution, nothing could be more gratifying and fulfilling than to hear a panel of highly influential Social Media Mavens describe what’s happening “out there” . . . Now . . . and what’s likely in our Future.

EVENT DETAILS

Sponsored by The Next Bench, an official HP destination for innovation and computing enthusiasts.

Wednesday, Aug 19 – San Mateo, CA

Moderated by Tony “Frosty: Welch, Community Manager for The Next Bunch, responsible for Web, Community and Social Media Strategy.

Panelists:

Steve Rubel, SVP Director of Insights for Edelman Digital, div. of the world’s largest independent PR firm.

Richard Brewer-Hay, Senior Manager Social Media Strategy & Chief Blogger for Ebay

Michael Brito, Social Media Strategist at Intel

Angela LoSasso, Social Networking Manager at HP

Selected HEADLINES from the panel discussion:

THE ENTIRE WEB WILL GO SOCIAL

FISH WHERE THE FISH ARE

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU NEED UNTIL YOU NEED IT

IT’S ALL ABOUT STORY-TELLING

THE MORE YOU LOWER THE BAR, THE EASIER IT IS FOR THE WORLD TO GO ROUND

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT CONVERSION — CONVERSATION IS CRITICAL

Selected quips from the conversation:

* Experts are looking to lower the bar.

* Being “Gracious” is vital to being IN with Social Media.

* The Social Media Revolution is like a fast-moving sushi train.

* The Four Basic Means of Measuring Social Media Value: (1) Reach; (2) Engagement; (3) Reputation; (4) Trial/Transaction

* The Top Ten websites from a decade ago had one social network site; today more than half are social media.

* Digital Embassy Strategy: Fish where the fish are — have Embassies in all the venues where your customers are

“People don’t buy products; they buy LifeStyles.”

* Companies are screwing up as they experiment with social media, BUT these mistakes don’t seem to hurt the Bottom Line.

* Innovation really matters: *****INNOVATE IN SMALL WAYS – Those who innovate and iterate in small ways are positioned to pull ahead when things go mainstream. When something becomes a winner, you’ll be there.

* Social Media is NOT YET MAINSTREAM!

“Those who innovate and iterate in small ways are postioned to pull ahead when things go mainstream.”

* Smart companies will take advantage of people with strong personal brands.

* Do not look at Social Media in a vacuum: Look at all stakeholders and determine where social media fits. Where’s the HIGHER PURPOSE?

* Social Media, conversation media, whatever you want to call it — it’s all about one-to-one.

* We’re on THE CUTTING EDGE: The Internet is always changing.

Richard, Ebay

VIDEOS

for SOCIAL MEDIA ROADMAP

panel now posted onYouTube:

Steve Rubel opens #hpsmr panel discussing lifestreams

Richard Brewer-Hay says “Fish were the fish are”

Social Media Tools will change, #hpsmr panel agrees

Steve Rubel discusses “embassy strategy” for businesses

Michael Brito – Bloggers need passion

Starbucks and Dell listen to people

Richard Brewer-Hay: “Human Connection” at Ebay

Richard Brewer-Hay evaluates his Ebay web presence

Michael Brito’s “Twitter Manifesto”

Michael Brito: “A lot of what I say doesn’t matter”

“An entire generation growing up will never call 800 number”

Respect & Graciousness win points in Web 2.0

Michael Brito: Opportunities & Risks of Online Personas

Social Media Roadmap panel discusses personal brands

Richard Brewer-Hay says if social media works well, he will be irrelevant

Will Social Media Super Stars become irrelevant?

Steve Rubel & Angela LoSasso offer predictions for social media

Don’t miss the next in HP’s series. Just check with Frosty.

ALSO Do Not miss my report on “Does Marketing/PR Suck? And what to do about it” – a panel discussion featuring Guy Kawasaki, Louis Gray, Loic LeMuir, Renee Blodgett, and Steve Patrizi

Next Post: Notes about SEO from PRWeb webinar