Three Technology Brands Using Social Media Effectively

For any companies who are looking at social media and wondering how it can be best utilized or for those who are already involved but feel they are not making the most of social media’s platforms, the following three examples highlight companies who are using social media effectively.

IBM

It should probably come as little surprise that one of the technology giants has fully embraced social media in an innovative way. A sign of how serious IBM takes social media is that they have appointed a social media manager who oversees the company’s activities.

IBM has a presence across most of social media, but perhaps their greatest innovation is the way in which they positively encourage their employees to use social media to discuss their work. This can include what they’re working on at the moment, plans for the future and even new products.

There is a central concept here that many companies should consider: IBM believes the best way to showcase its work and products is via its own staff. Their talent and enthusiasm acts as a great commercial for all they do and by allowing its staff to use social media, the company is showing its faith in its employees and by extension customers feel more comfortable and engaged by the brand.

Xerox

Unlike IBM, Xerox took their time dipping their toes in the social media water. However, this should not be seen as a negative decision as many companies who have been similarly hesitant should take note of Xerox’s approach.

The company now has a clear social media strategy that involves increasing awareness of its brand, products and services. They go about this by not just using the usual Facebook pages, Twitter posts and YouTube channel, but by encouraging employees to use social media to contact one another to discuss their work, thus creating a vibrant community.

Hewlett-Packard

Of all technology companies to embrace social media, Hewlett Packard (HP) has had one of the most dynamic and innovative approaches to getting the most out of the medium for both their customers and themselves.

Realizing that there was an untapped target audience in the shape of young people, they initiated Listen 2U, which is a website dedicated to being a platform for young people to help their talents flourish in areas such as movie production.

This approach works on two fronts: firstly it provided a much-needed resource for young people to nurture and make the most of their talents and secondly, by including a linked page to their products, HP have positioned their products as those used by creative and talented people.

This cross-fertilization of ideas and products to help the ideas become an end product is a superb example of the possibilities of social media and demonstrates how forward-thinking companies can use social media effectively to benefit both themselves and their customers.

Want to Know More About Social Media for Business?

Don’t miss the Social Media Marketing Las Vegas January 12, 2011 (the day after Affiliate Summit West) at the Flamingo Hotel.

About the author: Eric Rivers is a freelance writer for a technology company that operates in more than 170 countries around the world. Some of their most successful products are their laptop and toner.