Defining social media marketing

- A large part of the OMCA test…is the definitions and concepts of social media…and how companies use social media to reach customers.…Social media has changed marketing.…It's empowered the customer…in the digital marketing conversation…that was usually one-sided.…Customers now have direct, public access…to communicate to and about companies.…They can post reviews, complaints, and feedback…and reach thousands of their peers instantly.…

So all conversation is now in the public sphere.…Companies have little to no control…over what is said about them…and they have to react accordingly.…But social media also provides companies…with unique insights into their customers.…It allows them to research customers more closely…and target their marketing with precision.…This trade-off of social media is hard to define,…but it comes down to the basic principle of customer…or social participation in marketing.…

With likes, reviews, promotions, and blogs,…consumers are part of the marketing conversation.…So where does a company start using social media?…