Posted by Jody Raines
So, youve been eyeing social media, have you? It's sexy, hot and young, I don't blame you. What a seductive approach to communicate...
Yes, its fast. But not neccessarily cheap or easy. 
Fast - you can reach an audience within moments which, through retweets can become viral quickly.
Cheap - it doesnt cost more than your time. But that's where the cost starts and the easy part ends...
Easy - It's easy to open an account, but maintaining the relationship and building trust is where the effort pays off...
There is a protocol with social media that makes courtship more than mere stolen moments.
Social media demands your attention.
But does all that attention mean giving up your current relationship with traditional media? Not neccessarily. Although to some extent, that relationship has us putting out and putting out, and just not getting a lot back. Not like it used to be when that relationship was new.
Slowly but surely the flirtation with Social Media becomes a full-fledged relationship... first, we 'stumbled upon' a social conversation, then more than a few titillating tweets, and suddenly its a rendezvous with Facebook, a LinkedIn linking... Social media, well it was 'delicious'! And the attention, well, we could 'digg' it.
So, does that mean we have to divorce our advertising campaign in order to begin a love affair with... (dare I whisper this?) Social Media?
But how to keep it HOT and vibrant? To this end, a list of 5 tips for a steamy relationship with social media marketing:
1. Be easy, not sleazy. You know you want it shared, so add share-to-social buttons on your website, your email campaign. You want your brand message to be passed among your brand advocates.
2. Stimulate and make it entertaining. Unless your message is fun, compelling or informative, don't expect it to be shared. Social content must be entertaining in order to stimulate viral sharing.
3. Shamelessly seduce your customer's testimonials. Let them be part of the conversation. Reward their positive reviews.
4. Embrace your brand's identity on social platforms. Understand you can't control what's being said, but you can share in the conversation and participate.
5. Be social, be real, be transparent and raw. Let your audience know who you are. Transparency is critical. Then, relax and enjoy the notoriety and spice that a young, fresh powerful digital marketing program can bring to your older more traditional relationship.