When I was a kid, I thought everything I ever needed to know in life I would learn from the movies. As an adult, social media marketing professional, I am finding that the same principle holds true. Movies provide us with lessons and ideas if we listen closely. Here are five movies with a true social marketing lesson to be learned:
1. MOVIE: "The Net"
LESSON: Respect My Privacy
This 1995 cyberspace-thriller tapped into everyone's worst fears of the budding Internet - your personal information is public. This fear is still relevant 15 years later in a world of social networks where sharing is not only encouraged but required. Social media users are always concerned about their privacy - and as a marketer, so should you. Understanding your audience and really developing a social persona is the key to respecting the privacy and fears of your customers.
2. MOVIE: "You've Got Mail"
LESSON: Connection is a powerful thing
Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan fans everywhere were tickled when this romcom premiered touting the power of three little words. But there is a deeper message here - social networks connect people based on common interests. Whether it is your business rival or childhood best friend, consumers have the ability to reach out beyond geographical limitations to connect. In turn, your business has a unique opportunity to connect with customers worldwide. This connection is the first step in building an army of brand ambassadors with the power of word of mouth behind them.
3. MOVIE: "Empire Records"
LESSION: Create excitement
Arguably one of the best cult classics of the early '90s, "Empire Records" gave us a motto to live by - and it's not just "Damn the man, save the Empire!" It's create excitement. In the movie, a record store employee drew in huge crowds with this bit of wisdom to help save the store. Social media marketers take note - people crave excitement. They crave being a part of something larger than themselves. We can use social media to create these kinds of experiences through contests, quizzes, discussions, etc. Creating a brand that is truly excitable will strengthen that army of brand ambassadors. Don't underestimate the power that excitement can have in your social promotions.
4. MOVIE: "Field of Dreams"
LESSON: Don't just build it, use it
"Field of Dreams," which is set around the all-American sports game, gave us another highly recognizable motto to live by - "If you build it, he will come." Well, not always. I am not knocking Ray Liotta's ghostly directive, but building a Facebook page does not mean your customers will come to it. You must use these social media platforms as tools to build engagement and excitement. Creating a page on a popular social network is only step one - you must use and promote these pages as THE place to be for information and opportunities from your company. Remember that having a Facebook page does not mean you have a social media strategy.
5. MOVIE: "Clueless"
LESSON: Take a walk
You may think I am reaching on this one, but hear me out. When all else fails, take a walk. Cher took a walk and realized that she loved Josh - Imagine what a walk can do for a non-clueless social media marketer? Sometimes it takes a moment away to come up with the best idea, solution or next step. Whether it is a literal or figurative, take a walk away from your current strategy to see what else is out there. See what your favorite retail store is doing in the social sphere or just walk down the hall to visit a coworker in a different department. These moments away from your social bubble will breed new ideas.
About the Author: This article was written by Dana Delapi Haesmeyer, Social Media Manager for Rasmussen College. She frequently contributes articles related to business, social media strategy, and marketing degrees.
