5 Reasons NOT to “Tweet,” “Blog,” “Like,” “Bookmark,” or “Share”

It’s tempting to jump on the bandwagon. According to a 2011 survey by Knowledge Architecture, of 266 A/E firms profiled – of varying size – approximately 57% are actively using social media. The bulk of those firms are small to mid-sized, between 50 and 300 employees.

It feels like everyone is embracing social media and that you’ll be left in the dust if you don’t hop on board.

But like your mother used to say, just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean that you should too. There are plenty of reasons NOT to embrace social media.

1. You have nothing to say. A blog worth reading requires a good writer and engaging content. Posting announcements and links on Facebook and Twitter should be timely and relevant to your firm.

2. You don’t have time. If you or your firm’s employees are spending hours “tweet­ing” and “re-tweeting,” that’s time taken away from your billable work and from more proven person-to-person mar­keting efforts.

3. You have no plan. Like any business development plan, the use of social media as a marketing tool should only follow a clear, strategic goal, with a schedule and identifiable milestones.

4. You don’t have a graphic designer. High quality graphic design communicates ideas, brands, services, and information creatively and clearly to your targeted clients. It goes hand-in-hand with a comprehensive social media strategy.

5. You have a strong, repeat customer base. Social media is great for keeping your name out there and for creating buzz. If your firm sees long term sustainability with repeat and exclusive clients, you may be fine without Internet “presence.”

In the right hands, and with the right strategy, social media is a powerful marketing tool. But before you invest significant time setting up and managing a social media blitz, take a few steps back and ask yourself if it’s a necessary course of action for your firm right now.

Now that you know how important the proper use of social media is for your company, make sure you’re not just hoping on board. Give ALL your firm members the skills to create and follow your social media plan effectively to propel your company into the future. Join PSMJ this spring for our Business Development for A/E/C Firms seminar. PSMJ is hosting our remaining locations in Boston, Chicago, and Seattle to give your whole firm the tools and confidence you need to succeed in bringing in more work for the firm. Click here for more information.