People are talking about you.

Every day, a third of all internet users are sharing opinions on-line.

Your county, your town, your village, maybe even your business could be the subject of discussion, praise, criticism, even photography and then shared and talked about between millions of other people around the world.

Businesses are beginning to realise that there is a huge advantage to be gained by tapping into this dialogue. As Oscar Wilde said "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about."

Generally, as a nation, we are not keen on complaining. Statistics already show that 98% of visitors to your website will leave without bothering to contact you. If a customer has a bad experience of dealing with your business, they may take the time to complain, but more often than not, they will simply leave without a word and then bad-mouth you to everyone they know. You won't have a chance to defend yourself, appease the customer, show them that this was a one-off mistake and demonstrate that they are valued.

Economic times are tough, and now is not the time to lose customers. Surely you want to do everything in your power to ensure every customer you have stays with you. You want to show potential customers that you will look after them, and listen to them and offer real customer service.

Social Media allows you to do just that.

It allows you to engage with customers, join in their conversations, share experiences and project the personality of your business. It is a customer service department, marketing department, PR department, complaints department, and research and development department all rolled into one.

If you are not already joining this world-wide conversation, I would urge you to start now.

Show you care; show you listen and show that you react. Dare I say that "the customer is always right!"

To give you an example, below are some of the chats that mentioned my county on Twitter over the space of a few hours (yes, hours; time waits for no man!):

"last night's sunset from the lawn at Otford Manor in Otford, Kent ... the view this morning is just as lovely http://post.ly/4jED"


www.uk-parties.co.uk visitor viewed details reviews pictures of Bilsington Priory Ashford Kent

www.uk-parties.co.uk visitor viewed details reviews pictures of Boys Hall Ashford Kent

"Moat at The Clocktower, Ashford, Kent - open day on 10 Sept, 2 to 6pm. Call Mark for info about HomeBuy or click: http://tinyurl.com/ma57rw"

"Sep 13 -8:00 pm- Tommy Peoples - Fiddle Concert - Fiddlers Various 2009. at Littlebourne Thatched Barn in Canterbury.. http://bit.ly/3RZmbU"

"New travel post: Margate memories: Kent's Isle of Thanet is perfect for a golden weekend http://bit.ly/kMLRx #Margate"

"spittingcat Spitfire now. Ahh... Shepherd Neame."

"A Christmas market in the Heart of Kent - At the Hop Farm - http://bit.ly/17i8WP"

"Drinking Marston's Pomp and Circumstance bitter in the White Lion, Tenterden"

"Tours of the Whitstable Playhouse: Open Day: Sat 12 September. http://tinyurl.com/n6rw4b #whatson"

"Family bike ride Tonbridge to Penshurst Place - then back of course"

"Hever Castle was absolutely amazing. So beautiful. And the maze beats Hampton Court's hands down."

"Hawkhurst near Cranbrook. About 20 mins east of Tunbridge Wells. It's really nice round there. I've been looking at moving down.."

"Have blogged a photo montage for my next wedding ... at the Bell Hotel in Sandwich... http://bit.ly/3UvOp2"

"Having a beer in the Hotel Continental in Whitstable."

But.....these have all been one-sided conversations. These poor people have been talking to themselves.

Imagine what could happen if you started to chat to these people, as you would at a party? Agree that Hever Castle is beautiful and recommend Leeds Castle perhaps, but start a dialogue. Believe me, people will start to take an interest in what you say.

Once you have their attention, then you can start to work the room!

"Right I'm offline for a few hours have some serious work to do but Hoodeners Horse for mexican food call 01233 625583 to book a table"

"Have you voted? The Kent Restaurant Awards - my vote firmly for Hoodeners Horse in Great Chart. http://ow.ly/oSkk"

"Sunny day get out and have a glass of pinot + fajitas at Hoodeners Horse Great Chart call 01233 625583 + leave the cares of the world behind"

At the end of the day, what business wouldn't want to know if they were being talked about?

For an initial free consultation on any aspect of multi-media marketing, please contact Argent Ram Media on 01233 611200. www.argentrammedia.com