In the world of strategic positioning, Chitola, Nigeria first Socialprenuer, is not a new name. The young, energetic lady is treading on grounds that no man dare venture, except for some whose heart for risk are huge.
As the driving force behind InFocus PR Nig. Ltd, author of Start Wait Finish, an inspirational read, The Young Nigerian Entrepreneur - a motivational book for young aspiring leaders, publisher of The Governance - a magazine promoting national development, Business consultant to Royal Protocol Services Ghana 2005 - date and a former advisory board member for Sustainability Awards Africa 2012, a project that relied heavily on social media for its success, Chitola's boldness in a sector dominated by men is a success that goes beyond proving a point.
According to her, "it was a national challenge, one saddled with the task of revealing the 'How to' on social platform's success."
It is no surprise that her column in Punch Newspaper on social media maximization is now one of the newspaper's selling points.
During a visit to her impressive office, the soft spoken lady shed light on an aspect of maximizing the power of social media.
With light, cameras and pen at the ready, I began by asking Chitola how the internet can promote an institution whose target is national rather than global which the internet is known for.
"You can power your brand and identity on social media platforms and control its range. This way, Web site users will be a part of your brand.
"A Londoner, equipped with the latest navigational tool, can'tnegotiate Lagos like a Lagosian, same goes with social media. As a company with ambition, you must find a social media strategist who can help you leverage on platforms that includes user-generated content such as forums, groups, blogs, videos and photos plus full integration into your content/feature supported by your existing Web site.
"Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and other globally acknowledged networking platforms allow you to inflate the reach of your brand by creating Groups, Pages and more. For example, can you, Mr. Journalist integrates twitter, Facebook or google+ together such that a singlepost will spread to these three sites? Can you infuse your company's website address with a single post on Facebook such that a click will direct audience to your website where they are exposed to more of your products and explanation?
"Rather than developing a new website for your company, there are many sites that your audience is already networked on, leverage comprehensively on these sites, developing concrete strategies to promote your brand, products, events content and community with these potent platforms.
"You can also promote your new website, redirect audience to your company website."
Don: "Your explanation so far has bordered on reaching the audience using social platforms plus/or personal website. There seems to be no mentioning of the audience. For many, social media are like virtual lives, how do you explain 'reaching out to audience on social media?"
"Start a community, involve community members into your various e-newsletter, event promotion and promotional mailings.
"Find the super-users within your audience who you can leverage for surveys, editorial panels and identify potential new contributors.
"Viral marketing campaign is important for your brand across the Web with content sharing, widgets, badges and more. Massively expand the reach of your existing audience beyond your existing print and event
databases with a high registration rate and enhanced demographic collection. Grow sponsorship, advertising and lead generation opportunities for your clients in new and exciting ways that tie their brands even closer to the customers they are trying to reach — in a way that is highly strategic and not overly invasive.
"Also, you need to reward contributors and columnist – These are the people who keep your publication going. They carry their audience and most times have followers. If you are into publishing and printing, you have to annually organize an event that brings your team together.
"Your followers will most likely keep following and that in itself, is called mileage for your publication. Use autographs, motivational speeches, branded throw-in gifts like stickers, pens, holders, notepads, mugs, kid's toys, and car gadgets branded and customized for your particular columnist to appreciate them and their fans."
You can link up with Chi Tola via her website, www.chitola.com
Don Abiodun Odedeyi
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