Is the social media honeymoon over?

[Duncan Alney]

Social media has gone mainstream, we're over the hype cycle and heading towards mass adoption by the corporate community. Do you agree? Is the social media honeymoon over?

[Duke Brown]

I agree Duncan. I think the honeymoon is coming to and end, but only because this method of communication is both on a personal and a business/corporate level here to stay.

[Jake Roesler]

Honeymoon is a good metaphor. There are a lot of organizations out there that took the plunge, made the commitment, had some wild times (some, on the beach) and are now settled into the daily rhythm. Some are more attentive than others, and the romantics who have the ability change with the times will make it in the long run.

I find that surprising my blog with flowers on occasion really helps.

[Jane Goodwin]

As with any kind of honeymoon, once you get back from Tahiti - or, in my case, Disney World - the real fun begins. Or it doesn't, and since a good business mix is a lot like a good marriage, the romance had better stay forever or it's over.

I know that I am in no way typical - nor do I wish to be, for who else uses dashes as much? - but a business that does not utilize social media is a business that is telling me it doesn't care. At least, not as much as a business that uses every "tool" it can to convince me and show me and share with me and promise me stuff and deliver it and fix problems and apologize and thank me. . . . etc.

Taking your metaphor a bit further, I require the social media cuddling both before and after. Everybody cuddles while on a honeymoon. It's the cuddling you get after you get home and face all those bills and stomach flu and baby poop that really count.

And, unless you are in the funeral business, if you ask me for a picture of my kids using your product so you can post it on your website, I will kiss your ringed - or unringed - fingers. An email thanking me - a week or so later - for my business, and a simple "How could we have made your transaction even better? - turns a business into a rockstar, too.

I believe that, even after the honeymoon is over, a business that means business and wants MY business will keep on keepin' on with it.

[Molly Butters]

In keeping with your honeymoon metaphor, I would say I am just rounding first base with my employer - state government - when it comes to understanding and adopting social media applications and strategies. We have many more dates to go on before meeting the parents, popping the question, planning the wedding and getting married before we fall into routine. It's exciting to be on the verge of implementing tools that are SO relevant to a sector but at the same time I am learning it requires patience. Let's just say we're taking things slowly.

[Chuck Bergman]

Very apt metaphor. I started seriously looking at social media marketing back in April. It was like moving in together for the first time after the honeymoon. We knew each other - but did we REALLY know each other. Since then we have learned alot, shared, argued, made-up and adjusted to life together. And like any good marriage, I'm still learning new things every day.

I do believe social media marketing is a solid part of the marketing mix - we just haven't ironed out all the bugs yet. I hope for the day when Facebook becomes more "business friendly."

[Cheryl Watterson]

Hi Chuck - just read your reply and the last line about Facebook becoming more "business friendly." The Facebook Fan Page now gives businesses an even better way to build stronger relationships with customers and really drive business growth exponentially.

[Chuck Bergman]

Hi Cheryl - I have set up Fan pages for my company and I'm in process of building a fan base. I agree with you that it has potential for closer, more personal customer interaction than emails and our website. My main concerns with Facebook are on the technical side. Many apps only work with profile pages and not fan pages, or you have to "jump thru hoops" to make them work as advertised. I'm slowly figuring it out and think that I have built some solid fan pages. Check us out at http://www.facebook.com/TheCentrePC. I value any input.