Three myths about social networks and social responsibility or sustainability

Social Networks , a topic that is on everyone's lips today but that, to tell the truth, many organizations have not fully understood; and if they have not done this, much less have they used them for purposes such as CSR or sustainability . And there are many myths around them.So to try to shed a little light on the subject, let's throw out three common myths of companies regarding this topic, although first we would have to define what social networks are : Basically they are web applications that serve to connect people with their friends and make new relationships in the process. The best known, but not the only ones, are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedin, 4sq, Instagram, among others. Now, 3 myths why many companies do not enter social networks: MYTH 1: Social networks are only for teenagers to connect and make friends. False… According to a study carried out by Simply Measured , the social media presence of the top 100 Interbrand brands was analyzed . The result was that 98% of them were on Facebook, 94% were on Twitter and 40% were on Instagram.

Personally, I don't think that the 100 most valuable Phone Number List brands according to Interbrand are only brands for teenagers, do they? To corroborate this, one more piece of information… Do you know which segment is growing the fastest on Facebook? No, it's not the young people... but the older adults. So no, social networks are not exclusive to teenagers. MYTH 2: Social networks are useful for building relationships and for marketing, but not for something as sober and formal as CSR or sustainability . False… There are many companies using social media for purposes beyond marketing. Did you know that Starbucks hires through Facebook ? Did you know that he also created his own social network to gather ideas to improve his company , including aspects of community ties? Did you know that BestBuy generated its one-to-one customer service channel through Twitter? Did you know that Pepsi took out its SuperBowl ads to generate a social network that helped social causes by distributing more than 20 million dollars? Did you know that the RED initiative , led by BONO for the fight against AIDS in Africa, has almost a million and a half followers on Facebook? So yes… social media does serve to drive social responsibility and sustainability . MYTH 3: By avoiding entering social networks , we will avoid being talked about on them.



False… Let me give you a surprise... regardless of whether or not your company decides to get into social media , it is already being talked about... And not just one, but several. Do you want proof? Do it right now! Go to Twitter Search , Twitter 's most basic search tool , and type a company name. You will notice how many comments there are about her only on that social network and regardless of whether she wants it or approves it. So no... Trying to stop comments about our company by avoiding social media is like trying to stop a wave by turning your back on it. Remember this… the future is digital, it is social, it is mobile and it is sustainable … Is your company riding this future? Luis MaRam Graduated from La Salle University. MBA from UNAM and Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility from ITESM, Luis Maram has been an advisor to brands and companies on communication , marketing and CSR issues . He has been a professor and speaker at multiple universities and has given conferences and executive training workshops at several companies. He is currently Director of Marketing and Media at Expok , Sustainability and CSR, specializing in the topic of Sustainable Marketing .