Press Release Headlines

VillageWorks Unveils a New Way to Kick-Start Social Media Marketing

Social Media Sidekick service helps organizations make the most of their efforts

FREDERICK, Md., Jan. 29, 2010 — Integrating social media into marketing and PR efforts is the new Holy Grail for businesses these days. But too often, companies will jump into social media without any real strategy or goals. When that doesn't lead to immediate results that create a seamless match of tool and tactics, it's easy to dismiss social media as a fad and abandon all efforts.

That's why VillageWorks Communications of Frederick, Maryland has developed their Social Media Sidekick service. Sidekick can help ensure that social media is integrated into a company's marketing communications goals, and that the right tactics and resources are used to develop a program that works.

"Social media is the cornerstone of a successful conversational marketing program," explains Beth Schillaci, President/Founder of VillageWorks Communications, "but too many organizations jump into social media and find themselves lost. Some companies may have already included social media into their marketing mix, but have found their efforts have stalled. VillageWorks' Social Media Sidekick service can be used to evaluate their current efforts and provide guidance and solutions on how to get those efforts back on track and even how to expand into new opportunities, or to help organizations just starting to consider social media."

Sidekick isn't a cookie-cutter approach; it's a custom look at individual needs, goals and resources that helps companies get real results. Sidekick is ideal for agencies looking to help clients maximize their marcom dollars, or for organizations looking to determine how, when or even if they should use social media. A typical Social Media Sidekick session takes half a day and will help a company learn how to:

  • Monitor and research the current social media climate and efforts.
  • Define social media strategies and tactics to achieve marketing goals.
  • Integrate social media into your current marketing mix.
  • Review resources to achieve social media goals.
  • Create internal strategies and strategic teams to put the plan into action.
  • Structure schedules to use social media for true conversational marketing.

How long a Sidekick session lasts and what specifics topics will be covered can be customized to suit specific needs. The goal of a Sidekick session is not to "tell you" what your strategy should be or to set up specific tools; rather it is to empower organizations to develop the right strategy for their specific needs and to determine what resources can be used to get the job done.

Sidekick is much more than a coaching service. It provides real feedback and insight into the best social media tools for each client, along with concrete ways to use them to best reach the intended audience with the correct message. The service is affordable, too, with prices starting at just $500 for the half-day session. Once a Sidekick session is completed, VillageWorks is also available to offer help with developing a strategy, setting up listening posts, training and workforce development and policies to ensure social media success.

For more information, contact VillageWorks Communications at http://www.VillageWorks.net or call 240-529-3000.

CONTACTS:

Media contact: Gina Kazimir / PR Right Now / 410-420-8679 / Email

VillageWorks: Beth Schillaci / 240-529-3000 / Email / http://www.villageworks.net

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