A Kansas farm girl, a motley crew of misfits, and a band of flying monkeys. What can The Wizard of Oz, a 71-year-old flick, teach us about social media strategy? As it turns out, quite a bit.

“Come on, Toto, we have to run away…”

Social media isn’t going anywhere. In fact, as it becomes more entrenched in how customers obtain and share information, companies that don’t implement social media monitoring and social engagement plans will find themselves at the bottom of customers’ go-to lists. Don’t run away. Instead, embrace the inevitable, and implement a social media strategy that builds the brand to its fullest potential.

“You‘ve always had the power…”

Implementing social media monitoring and reputation management strategies does not require some obscure and intricate skill set. Companies typically benefit from consultations with social media experts or an experienced team of analysts. But the fact is making a social media strategy work comes down to the basic principles freshman learn in Business 101, such as developing systems, creating efficiencies, and increasing profit.

“It’s always best to start at the beginning – and all you do is follow the Yellow Brick Road.”

It was good advice when Glinda gave it to Dorothy, and it’s good advice for companies who want to implement an effective social media strategy. Too many enterprises jump into social media with grandiose plans that simply don’t work. Why? They haven’t started at the beginning: creating a strategy that encompasses everything from defining objectives to developing profitable relationships.

“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.”

When it comes to social engagement, it’s easy to give in to the temptation to hide behind that glowing screen. After all, it takes a special kind of company to deal with tweets from hundreds of infuriated moms or a litany of negative comments from angry gamers. Yet it’s a transparency that is absolutely necessary in the social media world. If you don’t come out from behind the curtain, your customers will pay no attention to you.

To find out more about how an expert team of professionals can guide you back to Kansas social media success, contact Social Strategy1.