Marketing messages used to be one way, but things have changed with the rise of social media. It has given consumers the opportunity to connect with a brand, like they were friends.
Sparking off a conversation with @WholeFoods or @Starbucks isn’t uncommon. The brand is brought to life by employees handling the profiles. Such connection was hardly possible before the social media era.
There seems to be a popularity fight between businesses on the social sites. The more followers and fans you have, the more popular you look and the wider your reach.
But the real winner is the one that can grab the attention of consumers and turn that into sales.
Grabbing Attention
To grab consumers’ attention, it is essential for businesses to humanize their brand. Making it lively, entertaining and personal is all part of the deal. Relationships aren’t built overnight. It requires constant and sincere interaction with the consumers. Traditional media was inadequate but not social media.
If businesses are willing to listen and improve, consumers would give them their attention. Both businesses and consumers benefit.
We see this happening more as this shift in media focus forces businesses to speak with consumers (it’s a good thing!). And those who don’t keep up would sooner or later be on the losing end.
Don’t be!
![Coffee Chat: All Things Entrepreneurship in Singapore [LIVEBLOG]](http://www.penn-olson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/1-80x80.jpg)
