HIA-LI IDs Five Things Every Business Must Learn for Social Media Success

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Feb. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A wide-ranging panel of Long Island leaders will discuss strategies for success with social media marketing next week at a Social Media Marketing Panel discussion hosted by HIA-LI, the recognized voice for business on Long Island. The event, which will include a panel discussion and Q&A session with audience members, will be held Tuesday, March 11, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Newsday Auditorium, located at 235 Pinelawn Road, Melville, NY. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register at http://hia-li.org/event_detail_wf2.cfm?eventid=505 or by calling 631-543-5355 to avoid the $5 walk-in fee. In addition, HIA-LI has identified five things every business must learn for social media success.

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"HIA-LI has always placed a high premium on communication as a means of achieving business success for business owners and executives. And in today's marketplace, that means being able to communicate with one voice across multiple channels," said Terri Alessi-Miceli, HIA-LI president. "We appreciate the social media expertise and experience that our moderator and panelists will offer our event attendees."

The panel will be moderated by Charlie MacLeod, president and CEO or SMM Advertising. Panelists include Joseph Benty, chief marketing officer of Chernoff Diamond; Roxanne Browning, founder of Exotic Chocolate Tasting; Clay Darrohn, Big Tuna and founder of fishbat; and Ryan Murphy, community emergency evacuation coordinator, Suffolk County Fire and Rescue.

Five Things Every Business Must Learn for Social Media Success
"This event will be a great opportunity for business owners to learn how to use social media to manage client acquisition, brand advocacy, customer service and other tactics that will help them grow their company," said panelist and event sponsor Darrohn. He offers these tips:

1. Leverage social networks to help grow business. Don't wait for customers to find you on social media. Instead, create official pages on major social networks, then go and seek out your customers. Actively encourage customers to join your social media channels, or run ads to attract them.
2. Turn followers into customers. Tailor some, but not all, of your content around promoting your products or services. Offer purchase incentives and discounts via social media channels.
3. Make customers your best "salespeople." Create engaging content on social media that leads to likes, shares, and comments. Every time someone on social media interacts with a post you make, there is a chance that their friends or followers will see your post as well. Provide an incentive for users to share your posts and your social media channels with prizes, giveaways, etc.
4. Improve customer service and building loyalty. Don't just post content. Make sure your business responds to all customer service issues and interacts with your customers on social media. Continue doing this and you will develop a rapport with your best customers.
5. Manage social media in the workplace. If your employees list your company in the 'job' section of their personal social media profiles, make sure to hold a meeting to discuss appropriate social media behaviors with them.

Sponsors of the event include Factxback.com and fishbat.

About HIA-LI
HIA-LI helps Long Island businesses prosper. For over 30 years, we have been the recognized voice for business on Long Island and a powerful force and economic engine for regional development. We provide a forum for business leaders to network, problem solve and obtain advice on critical issues facing their businesses. Our member companies represent tens of thousands of business professionals. We're headquartered in and support one of the largest industrial parks in the United States. HIA-LI programs and events promote strategic partnerships, targeted networking, and information sharing and business advocacy. Members benefit from our committees, educational programs, career resources, research capabilities, mentoring opportunities and business advisory services. For more information, visit http://www.HIA-LI.org or call 631-543-5355.

HIA-LI CONTACT:
Terri Alessi-Miceli, 631-543-5355, [email protected]

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Hazen, Communication Strategy Group; 1-866-997-2424; [email protected] 

SOURCE HIA-LI