Monitoring Social Networks

Social networks are the newest tool that allows businesses to receive feedback about how their companies are performing in the eyes of their own customers. Prior to social media companies mostly had to rely on surveys, and complaints in order to adjust their business methods to fit the customers need. Social media changes this entire complexion. It gives the business somewhere where information about their business can be posted in real time, allowing for quicker changes for the customer.

If I owned a business I would use a social media monitoring company in a few different ways. The first thing I would do is to have the companies monitor how much my businesses name is being thrown around social media, whether in a positive or negative light. This would give me a good idea on how widespread and popular my company has become, or vice versa, to see if it is not a choice of consumers. It would give me a good idea on how large my clientele is, and what things I need to do as the owner to best manage the customers I do have.

Next I would separate the positive and negative comments from each other.  I think that for the bettering of the business it would be a better idea to get more in depth in looking at the comments that point out the issues of my company. If I were to only follow the good comments, I would never think anything is wrong in the customers eyes, and would not be making adjustments accordingly. The things that negative comments would point out would become the main focus on furthering my company. The success of the company lies in the customer’s hands, and if they do not like the product being offered to them they will not purchase it and move on to my competitors.       

I would also use social media monitoring to track my competitors as well. Seeing what is successful to them, and applying it to my company, would be a great benefit. To get to the top of your industry, one must have the top of the line product in that industry. If my competitors are succeeding while I am failing, and I do not adjust to what is working, I will surely be out of business quickly. These are the ways that I think would be the best way to utilize companies that monitor social networks. Companies that are in this field will continue to pop up the more and more social networks become a part of business.