As so called Millennial, I am using social media every day. It is the easiest and quickest way to stay on top of the news in my working environment in the oil and gas industry as it has begun to replace traditional media. With 72% active people in the age of 30-49 and 60% in the age of 50-60, no one can deny that social media is here to stay. With this facts the paradigm of social media only being used by the younger generation should be put to rest now.
However, I have experienced that this powerful tool is underused by oil and gas industry specialists. The challenge here might be, to see social media as an opportunity, rather than simply another area in which it is obliged to participate. B2B companies of any industries are using Twitter, LinkedIn and Youtube to offer information, provide thought leadership, and communicate with other businesses. Industry specialists are in great demand as they have a unique expertise and experience they can share with the community. LinkedIn is considered the largest network of professionals in the world, therefore it is probably the most valuable social media tool for the oil and gas brands. Twitter is the other platform leading the way for the oil and gas industry. Using hastags, oil and gas professionals can track industry conversations and stay on top of market trends.
These three benefits might encourage some of you to start blogging, tweeting and posting themselves.
1. You can learn about your audience
We are all aware that knowing and understanding our audience is key. Wouldn't it be great to spy on your competitors and customers? It is FREE using Twitter search! If your audience is represented in social media, especially on Twitter and LinkedIn, you can conclude that they are keen on staying up to date in their industry and are looking for interesting content every day. So why hold content back if social customer service is the future of customer satisfaction?
2. You receive instant feedback from your customer's perspective
Is there anything better than receiving instant feedback for your work? By sharing your content on social media you will be provided with valuable insights on the costumer perspective. This gives you daily opportunities to learn and to establish relationships with other industry people (if you look for it and/or if you follow the right folks).
3. You can show that you are an expert
You can use social media to position yourself and your company as expert in your field. The larger your web presence the more likely you wil influence others to share and comment on your content. And even on a micro level, responding to follower questions with informative answers demonstrates that your company is go-to-thought leader in the oil and gas industry.
And these are only three out of many benefits I could mention.
"In the end, nothing will ever replace, the value of direct, person-to-person contact. The sincerity of a handshake, and taking the time to hear out a customer's concerns in person, cannot refund by the most strategic tweet. But that truth no longer can be used as a justification for ignoring social media.
The old adage in the business world is to go fishing where the fish are."(Steve Everly)
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