Social media mission controls are all the rage now. Stacked with more flat screens than you can imagine, they’re manned by teams that are scouring Twitter and watching Facebook to interact with customers. Here’s a hint – you don’t need this!
You’re not NASA trying to put a man on the moon.
Is anybody really paying attention to all of those screens on the wall inside the Gatorade control center? Of course not. It’s meant to look flashy for cameras and PR.
It’s also pretty creepy. If I mention Gatorade on Facebook, their team stands by ready to jump into my conversation.
“It’s like we’re a person in their social circle now,” said Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Robb O’Hagan.
That’s totally natural, right?
Just Two Things
With your customers, all you need is a computer with an Internet connection. Keep it simple. Focus on one screen. Find your customers that are reaching out to you and interact with them.
Don’t stalk them on Facebook or analyze them on Twitter. Be yourself in those spheres. Your customers will love you for being you.
How are you interacting with customers on Twitter and Facebook?
I just use a simple Twitter search to keep up with what customers are asking about us. Building out a dedicated war room or control room just seems to be about flash.
Keeping it simple. I like it!