Do you know what your firm’s social media marketing efforts really cost? Before you assume that social media can save you money, it’s critical to determine what you’re really paying for your social media marketing especially as budget season approaches and social media efforts expand. 7 Social media marketing activities and 10 related social media expenses are examined.

While social media remains hot and marketers continue to move their budgets into social media, it doesn’t mean that they’re doing it right. Many marketers shortsightedly approach social media like it’s another push medium where they can blast their promotional messages. Instead of yielding results, this underscores the marketers’ myopic approach. Does your firm practice any of these five myopic social media marketing tactics?  If so, your social media marketing needs adjustment.

Fireworks are symbolic of the Fourth of July. They commemorate the rockets’ red glare and the bombs bursting in air when we defended our freedom as Americans. Social media marketing has a lot in common with Independence Day. Social media is a move away from traditional media and communications. In many organizations, however, the use of social media causes management to send up severe warnings. Here’s seven ways to make your social media cause fireworks.

While marketers, PR experts, social media professionals and business executives may differ in how they define social media, they’d all agree that social media has changed how products and services are marketed. In the past year, social media has evolved from a small marketing test to an integral part of the marketing plan that enables a business to achieve its goals. Here are ten elements that distinguish social media as it’s currently implemented in businesses and organizations.