Social Media Lectures

Many small businesses are currently using social media as part of their sales and marketing campaigns. For some it’s nothing more than a Facebook Places page. For others, it’s a comprehensive suite of social media tools including Facebook, your own Blog, Twitter Feed, LinkedIn profile, Digg account, and participation in relevant industry communities. Whether you consider yourself a social media expert, or whether you’re a neophyte trying to get a handle on this new sales and marketing channel, hearing case studies from the “big guys” can be helpful. After all, they have the expertise and budget to try big and succeed big (or fail big) and you can take advantage of the lessons they learned (and funded).

The following videos are from social media conferences sponsored by gaspedal.com (a social media consulting company) and socialmedia.org (a social media online community.):

• REI: Donations Instead of Deals
  This presentation by the digital engagement manager for this major outdoor equipment retailer discusses the company’s first Facebook Places campaign—and covers its challenges and successes.

• UPS: Social Media Defense: Protecting Your Brand When It's Under Attack
  This presentation by the corporate communication manager for UPS (United Parcel Service) covers how the company used social media to counter and respond to negative publicity.

• Cisco Systems: Building Our Online Presence
  This presentation from Cisco Systems, a major technology company, covers how the company built and continues to enhance its online and social media presence.

• Scholastic: The ABC's of Corporate Blogging
  This presentation from educational media and publishing company Scholastic, covers how they went about building their blog and engaging other bloggers as well as the online community.