Almost a year ago to the day Ian Anderson Gray published a blog outlining the 7 reasons NOT to use HootSuite. Yesterday Ian wrote another blog outlining 7 reasons WHY you should use HootSuite. Most of these points are obvious, but I thought I would add to Ian’s findings with 7 other reasons that might not be so obvious until you actually start using HootSuite!
HootSuite is Built For Business and Social Enterprises
Scalability – As your online presence and social media team grows, so can your usage of HootSuite. Whether its adding additional social properties or new members to your organisation, the HootSuite dashboard provides a comprehensive and organised way to stay in control of who within the company has access to your social media properties. When a new member of staff joins your company, you are able to add and remove people at the touch of a button. This takes away the hassle of having to change passwords and admin rights. Simples.
Moderation – One of the most challenging aspects for bigger companies when entering the world of social media is making sure that whatever they publish goes to the right social properties, but most importantly, it has been verified as being correct and without misspellings or perhaps inappropriate responses. 2012 was the year of “social media faux pas”. A lot of these faux pas caused considerable harm to the brands and companies using social media. Almost all of these could have been prevented if they were using HootSuite.
Accountability – Business owners are slowing coming around to the fact that their employees need to be tweeting and facebooking at work for work. HootSuite allows administrators to track and monitor the performance of individual members in your organisation. This can help with staff performance and morale as you recognise exceptional work or perhaps identify areas where improvements or new staff training can be arranged. This adds value to the relationships that your company has with your online communities and gives your employees something to be proud of.
Security – When managing larger social media campaigns, sometimes there could be many Twitter and Facebook communities to engage. HootSuite allows users to double check that what they are posting is going to the right social property and at the right time. This feature is even available on mobile devices and tablets. Winner. There is nothing worse than replying to a tweet from the wrong Twitter account or posting the wrong status update to the wrong Facebook Page or group. This gives piece of mind to users and stops honest mistakes from happening. We are only human after all.
App Directory – With over 40 apps in the App Directory (and growing everyday!), HootSuite provides apps that can be integrated directly into the dashboard via streams and plugins. By incorporating apps like YouTube and Instagram, you are able to harness the full potential of the social web, whilst adding to the accountability factor with staff performance and usage. Some of the apps are designed for larger companies to streamline internal communications like Yammer and evernote, but some are designed for users in particular geographical locations (orkut and Sina Weibo). This makes using HootSuite a global proposition for every organisation, company, and agency using social media. There is something for everyone!
HootSuite Provides Features Too Add Value
HootSuite University (HSU) – Nowhere else on the planet is there a social media dashboard that provides comprehensive educational opportunities, not just about HootSuite, but also about the other social media platforms. Case studies, webinars, white papers, and of course the video tutorials allow you to maximise your social media efforts. Empowering your staff with cutting-edge advice and best practices allow for continued growth and expertise in the areas of social media management and engagement. Access to HSU is also web based, so you don’t have to be at your work station to advance your skills. This could be done remotely or in a learning environment that is better suited to your employees.There are even some Universities using HSU in the classroom. The 21st century student needs social media training before they venture out into the marketplace.
HootClub – One of my favourites parts! HootClub is collective group of users, fans, and advocates that allows others to share their successes, ask questions, and receive really great advice from other HootSuite users. It’s a HootSuite community for users, by users, allowing global collaboration and conversations to take place between like-minded individuals. Learning from other peoples’ successes provides an opportunity for HootClub fans to maximise their own usage of HootSuite and to even make some really great new friends in the process.
HootSuite’s users surpassed the 5 ma ma million mark in late 2012 and their continued expansion of the app directory makes it a one-stop shop for most social media managers, consultants, and organisations. HootSuite is a social media solution for business and has something for everyone no matter what your social media marketing budget is. Once you have identified your goals and your strategies, check out all of the great features and benefits of HootSuite before you look anywhere else. Give HootSuite a try free for 30 days and see what you think…
