EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
Love it or hate it , social media has the power to grow your business . But for some , it can seem like a daunting place , especially if you are representing your business . There may be questions about what you can / cannot say on social media and whether it ties in with your company ’ s ethos and branding . Executives have the added pressure of leading by example .
Even with all this in mind , social media should not be ignored by executives and with the right strategy , it can have the power to grow business exponentially .
In this month ’ s editor ’ s question , three experts offer their advice on how executives can use social media more effectively . A common consensus is that LinkedIn is the best social media platform for executives .
LinkedIn has over 930 million users and 58 million companies use it worldwide . It connects you to other businesses and individual professionals , and also provides a platform to reach out to customers . It is also a place to recruit new employees .
is almost no better person to share news about your organisation . Using social media to explain why you have made certain decisions , how they underpin performance and how they are driving strategy are important . It ’ s also important to do this with personality , allowing your passion and drive to shine through .”
And Sarah Evans , Head of Digital PR , Energy PR , emphasises that social media – used in the right way – is a powerful tool .
She said : “ For executives and business leaders , there ’ s lots of potential that remains untapped . There are a few reasons for this : lack of interest or belief in what social can deliver , serious lack of time , not knowing exactly what to post , or concern you can ’ t post consistently . However , the barrier to entry is lower than you might think , and the benefits once you take the plunge are plentiful .”
FOR EXECUTIVES AND BUSINESS LEADERS , THERE ’ S LOTS OF POTENTIAL THAT REMAINS UNTAPPED .
Chris Buchanan , Client Solutions Director , Dell Technologies South Africa , said : “ Social media channels cater to different audiences and serve different purposes . LinkedIn is a great platform for executives to establish thought leadership , connect with other professionals and share industry insights .”
He went on to outline clear steps which can “ help you move from social media aspiration to effective execution , governance and measurement ”.
Damon Anderson , UK Managing Director , Employment Hero , believes it ’ s about showcasing your personality , your views and your vision / values as a leader . He said : “ As the leader of a business , there
HOW CAN EXECUTIVES USE SOCIAL MEDIA MORE EFFECTIVELY ?
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