Question Six – Social Media: A Virtual Storefront

To see how social media works for those of us in the wide-format industry, we talked to 10 print shops who, through trial and error, have found a way to make their mark in the world of online marketing.

Each day over the next week, The Big Picture will post a new, critical question centered around the use of social media in the world of wide-format with invaluable answers from our panel.

Our Social-Media Panelists
Ryan Broderson, Director of marketing and customer relations, SuperGraphics, www.supergraphics.com
Kaitlyn Burns, Britten Inc., Marketing special project coordinator, www.brittenbanners.com
Blake Castestter, Account executive, Advertising Vehicles, www.advertisingvehicles.com
Randy Clark, Director of communications, TKO Graphix, www.tkographix.com
Dolph Frederico, Owner, Pelican USA, www.pelicanusa.com
Damon Henrichs, Sales and marketing manager, ABI Digital Solutions, www.abidigitalsolutions.com
Jill Rowen, Sales and marketing coordinator, Apple Visual Graphics, www.applevisualgraphics.com
Darin Smith, Director of strategic planning, Printscape, www.myprintscape.com
Sean Tomlin, Owner, Designer Wraps, www.designerwraps.com

Does your company have a social-media policy?

Burns: Yes, Britten Inc. and all affiliated companies include a social-networking policy within our employee handbook.

Tomlin: Not really. We just make sure we don’t throw anything up without any thought. So, as long as it’s creative, fun, and/or informative, and of course stays within our company’s brand, it’s a go.

Wilson: Not officially. This is mainly because we only have one social-media manager, so we don’t need to police what our team members are saying on behalf of our brand.

Frederico: Ours is simple. Don’t over post and annoy people. It must be relevant content, and always keep it positive.
 

Read Question Five: At your company, who is permitted to use your company’s social-media sites – do all of your employees have the password or access to posting? If not, who does?

Tomorrow: What about success stories: When has social media really helped your business?