Why companies watch us?

Accessed on the 3rd January
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11450923

This article from the bbc news website explore how companies are becoming more active in social media due to wanting to influence and keep of track on word of mouth about them from their audience/consumers. Companies want positive words of mouth to keep sales and share price growing but with negative news can lead to these tumbling. With consumer being able to share their views further and louder across social media has created a shift towards consumer power. 

This has lead to companies wanting to monitor what is being said and shared bout them. However analysis programs have issues with context and regional use of language. But when successful these pieces of software can measure peoples moods towards the brand and the trends that according across the platform. 

An important question Tom Austin arises in they articles is what are companies trying to learn/gain from being on facebook? Without this focus it seems pointless for a company to invest much time into social media. 

He continues and states that companies might not be able to sell their product directly on the site but they are able to create a passion for the product. This is only successful if it not done through a hard sell, if people wanted this they would watch the adverts or go direct to you. 

The most important piece taken from this article is, Does your message and content add value to your audience and your companies image?

Another thing is rewarding key contributes, as they will be more willing to spread the word further. Plus more people will want to try to get rewarded by the company. Explain of this virgin giving out free  flights to key contributors.

Another important aspect Austin states is that you need to be flexible as everything can happen due to face books instant nature. 

"Your model has to be continual adapted."