Originally Posted by vrsi-office

Another good application for monitoring all your IM, social network and email accounts is Digsby. Digsby gives you updates/notices at the bottom of your computer screen whenever there is new info on one of your accounts. This app is simple to use and effective. I would be lost without this program. HootSuite is great, but it is really Twitter oriented. Best Wishes, Julie

Thanks, I'll have to look into that one

Let me disagree with some of what's been said here. I personally don't think that every client needs a Facebook fan page or a LinkedIn group or any other involved and time-intensive social media application. At the same time, I strongly suggest my clients to create basic profiles on at least 7-10 largest SM networks - LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, niche ones (i.e. ActiveRain) and local ones. These basic accounts will serve two purposes:

1) they will be name holders so noone else can claim my client's brand name
2) allow my clients to monitor relevant conversations and brand mentions in each of these networks

After a little bit of time spent monitoring, you will get a very good idea which networks (one, two or more) have the most share of relevant conversation and users that actually fit your client's description of target audience. That's when you can move in and create full profiles and start actively conversing in each of these top networks.

The message that everyone has given is that social media can be over rated. It has to be managed well, and not developed and left untended. There are some large companies managing their basic products well (see Febreeze) intentionally without the use of social media. There is strategy behind it, and that is the key.

You have selected all of the right basics for a starter package. I would suggest that you seat this offer with a silver and gold package as her interest in social media expands and she finds she does not have the time to truly devote to it, you can step in as a provider of content management or reputation management for a fee. Treat it as a continueing relationship and educate along the way.

Stephanie:

I have two comments:

1. I would recommend that you visit makeuseof.com, and search the site, using the terms "Facebook", "Twitter", and "Social Media", minus the quotation marks, of course. You will find a lot of information on useful apps, all of which have free or low-cost versions.

2. Look at your client's lack of focus, as an opportunity. Convince her that she needs you to manage her social media marketing. Then, you both win!

Originally Posted by oneclick-va

Let me disagree with some of what's been said here. I personally don't think that every client needs a Facebook fan page or a LinkedIn group or any other involved and time-intensive social media application. At the same time, I strongly suggest my clients to create basic profiles on at least 7-10 largest SM networks - LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, niche ones (i.e. ActiveRain) and local ones. These basic accounts will serve two purposes: 1) they will be name holders so noone else can claim my client's brand name 2) allow my clients to monitor relevant conversations and brand mentions in each of these networks After a little bit of time spent monitoring, you will get a very good idea which networks (one, two or more) have the most share of relevant conversation and users that actually fit your client's description of target audience. That's when you can move in and create full profiles and start actively conversing in each of these top networks.

I couldn't agree with you more. There are businesses out there that do not have a Facebook page, but do appear on Twitter or Linkedin. I too have advised some of my clients to take the same approach and ensure they take the name.

As for HootSuite, this thread is probably a little outdated now but HootSuite is so much more than Twitter these days and is a very valuable tool for anyone providing social media assistance.

I start clients out on one social media platform (usually Facebook) and work with them from there gradually adding in other platforms as they become more familiar and comfortable with social networking.