Most Recent | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003
6 steps to controlling brand buzz on review sites
Decide when to participate
iMedia Connection
Neal Leavitt
Although brands should be actively monitoring forums for conversations regarding their brands, as well as competing brands, diving straight into the conversation when your name pops up is not always the way to go, says Crosby Noricks, social media strategist for Red Door Interactive. Forums are micro-communities, and each has its own protocol, culture, and influencers (often moderators or those with the most posts). As such, brands need to understand the community first by spending time monitoring before engaging. In addition, she advises, make sure to check the site's terms of service to see if there is any policy regarding brands operating in the forum.
"You may want to send an email to the powers that be at the forum to ask permission to post -- explain in what capacity and what kind of information you want to share," Noricks says. "Commit to becoming an engaged member of the community and not operating as a sales machine."
Full Story >>
