Social Buzz Awards launches with huge first #SMBuzzChat

For the inaugural #SMBuzzChat, we invited Ehsan Khodarahmi of #SMXChat to ask the questions and the response was overwhelming. Here’s what the community had to say on last nights questions. The next #SMBuzzChat will be at 7pm on Tuesday 1st September with out special guest being Laurence Hebberd of Social Media London. Subscribe to the event on Facebook to make sure you don’t miss out.

Question 1: Where is Social Media heading?

Ehsan had the following to say:

"Social media is about psychology and sociology, because there are real people on social media. Therefore, brands need to develop an in-depth understanding of their audience behaviour before marketing on the medium. Creativity in social media is the fuel for success but strategic operation is the driver of sustainability."

Here are some opinions from the community:

.@Buzz_Awards Q1: Social listening! Analytics, data and actionable insights. Intuitive, fluid, real-time campaigns. #SMXChat

— Jenna Roberts (@jennamroberts) August 25, 2015

A1:@Buzz_Awards More emphasis on paid advertising, as platforms try and monetise communities and mobile to become even MORE dominant! — Circus Street (@Circus_St) August 25, 2015

.@Buzz_Awards ...simultaneously maximising online presence whilst tightening up their campaign, all channels streamlined into one! #SMXChat

— Retortal.com (@Retortal) August 25, 2015

Question 2: Who is influential in social media space? Ehsan had the following to say: "Everyone is influential in social media space. The more value you add to people’s lives the more credible you’ll be seen. Influence is not a number attached to your social media profile, but your ability to listen to other people and support them to achieve their goals. Collaboration is the future competition; which won’t take place unless people listen and exchange ideas with each other." Here are some opinions from the community:

@Buzz_Awards it depends on the latest trends !! Celebrity's have a huge impact as well !

— zow agnew (@zowagnew) August 25, 2015

@Buzz_Awards I think the mistake too many brands make is thinking an influencer is just an account with a big number. #SMBuzzChat — A.K (@AK_S_) August 25, 2015

Question 3: Why should brands be using social media? Ehsan had the following to say: "As Jeff Bezos once said, your brand is what other people say about you when you are not in the room. Having presence on social media is about building relationships and creating a community. People on social media are real and they expect real interactions by brands." Here are some opinions from the community:

A3: @Buzz_Awards we seem often to forget or neglect the 'social' of social media, it IS interaction, the word-of-mouth of our age! #SMXChat — Retortal.com (@Retortal) August 25, 2015

@Buzz_Awards Awareness, community, create positive experiences... As long as the platform is right for the brand/its objectives #SMBuzzChat

— Dani Millward (@dani_johanna) August 25, 2015

@Buzz_Awards some customers may find it easier to ask questions about the brand online to !! — zow agnew (@zowagnew) August 25, 2015

Question 4: Should brands change their tone of voice on different channels just to suit their purpose?

Ehsan had the following to say:

"A brand’s tone of voice is like someone’s personality and identity. If someone changes character and personality in different occasions, that individual won’t earn credibility and reliability from people around him or her. Similarly, changing tone of voice can be detrimental to brand values. In order to earn credibility, brands need to apply consistency to their tone of voice. This is however different to changing messages across different channels."

Here are some opinions from the community:

@Buzz_Awards No - brands should have one tone of voice overall, otherwise it gets confusing! #SMBuzzChat

— Laurence Hebberd (@LaurenceHebberd) August 25, 2015

A4: @Buzz_Awards yes, but it's important to prioritise, especially if you're a #startup with a one-man marketing team... #SMXChat

— Retortal.com (@Retortal) August 25, 2015