SignWeb | signweb.com

(October 2011) posted on Tue Oct 11, 2011

Signshop standouts illustrate how to use Twitter, Facebook for business

By Robin Donovan

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1 SHARE LOCAL NEWS
Instead of boring, self-serving posts, Signplicity (Traverse City, MI) interweaves local-interest items with its projects, keeping Facebook fans informed without that annoying “look at us!” vibe.

2 USE LINKS, @ MENTIONS AND HASHTAGS OFTEN
This tweet from Harbinger Sign (Jacksonville, FL) has all the elements of follower-building: a link to “wow” content (in this case, a sign with mile-high letters), a hat-tip to another user (who may return the favor) and hashtags (#signage should cover it for most, or try #LED, #design, #digitalsignage and #wideformat).

3 CONNECT FOR A CAUSE
Linking itself to a well-known nonprofit helps Fastsigns (Glendale, WI) brand itself as a company that gives back. Rebranding its logo to include a signature pink ribbon raises visibility, while a promised donation incentivizes following.

4 WATCH FOR BRAND MENTIONS – THEN ENGAGE
Unsolicited, positive mentions of your brand are social-media gold. Here, Roland DGA (Irvine, CA) engages @awthentikwraps, who mentioned watching a Roland printer at work from home via shop security cameras. Note Roland’s use of multiple Twitter administrators, denoted by initials after each tweet (e.g. this tweet’s signature: “^DS”).

WHAT ABOUT GOOGLE+?
Our recommendation: Wait and see whether Google has truly unleashed tomorrow’s social-media platform, or if the company’s sketchy privacy policy and draconian rule enforcement will drive away Google-weary users.