Can there ever be enough discussion around "social media measurement"? While I joke as part of the opening of this post, it is a topic that we'll continue to explore in upcoming#Ciscosmt activities. And as a follow up to my recent "Decoding Social Media Measurement" post, last Thursday Charlie Treadwell, Manager, Digital and Social Media Marketing at Cisco, shared his insights through the monthly#Ciscosmt Series Twitter chat. Below is a transcript of the interesting conversation as well as a few key takeaways.

I think this is a great start to the ongoing conversation we'll explore further as we move forward. As it evolves,  it provides more and more critical data points for business impact. I'm interested to hear how you are using social media measurement to benefit your business and also what types of metrics are most important to you.

Key Takeaways

• Social media measurement is a key element in showing business value...social media benefits are no longer taken at face value. Businesses must align metrics to overall goals and benchmark along the way.
• Metrics will vary from company to company based on individual goals. However, some basic types of data to measure includes: cost and/or support savings, revenue, influencers, share of voice, engagement, and crowdsourcing.
• Social media measurement can be implemented even on limited budgets. Use tools like Google Analytics, individual social channels, or other resources to gather data and make informed decisions.
  Pilot and test social media strategies on an ongoing basis and create measurement benchmarks throughout the initiatives to ensure efforts are maximized.
• Quantity is an important part of the social media measurement equation. However, "quality" is an even more crucial element to consider. Take time to look deeper into the metrics to understand the types of engagement, influencers, or other data points that can be retrieved.
• Measurement can and should be implemented across the organization when it comes to social media. HR, sales, support, marketing, and other areas can benefit from strong measurement best practices.

October Twitter Chat

And mark your calendars for next month's Let's Chat!#Ciscosmt Twitter chat, taking place on Thursday, October 24^thfrom 9-10 a.m. PT. More details will follow shortly on this blog and through the @CiscoSocial handle on Twitter. Stay tuned for more details by following the Cisco Digital and Social Blog and the#Ciscosmt hashtag!

Let's Chat!#Ciscosmt Series: Engaging Employees in Social Media Twitter Chat Transcript

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Cisco Social Media Training Program Opportunity:

If you have any questions or are interested in other types of social media training, check out our complimentary Cisco Social Media Training Program and follow the#ciscosmt hashtag.  To request  customized one-on-one team training sessions, email [email protected].