Today is part observation, part case study. I want to share a few thoughts about one of the big guns in the social media space; I want to talk a little about Home Depot. I want to talk about Home Depot because they are doing it right, and because today, they are less of a mystery to me.
It’s not hard to feel a little intimidated by big brands in social spaces online. As a small business in social and shared spaces like Twitter, I once thought that big brands were untouchable…that they somehow automatically had something that a mere “just me” could never obtain. I did watch and followed along, to be sure, and I read every case study and interview that I could find. My mindset was that I could perhaps catch little bits and pieces of information or tactical insight and perhaps even grow brilliant through osmosis. I truly felt like I couldn’t have what they had or do things the way that they did them.
This informative video is not a short one. Watch now, or bookmark for later.
I always assumed that the people who were in charge of the social media efforts of big brands were somehow more than human. Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt that the individuals hired to represent big brands are some of the very best at what they do. Still, whether an individual or a team, these are in many ways more like me than I had dared to imagine.
When Hurricane Gustav touched down, the company decided to stay open for 24 hours to allow customers to stock up. They put the word out through traditional media, but it didn’t have the same effect as a simple tweet from Home Depot’s Twitter handle. The news quickly spread virally, customers streamed in all night and Home Depot got the recognition they deserved for helping their community.” – Ryan Healy from Employee Evolution
I chose Home Depot to talk about today because they are local to me here. So local in fact, that I found myself face-to-face with Sarah Molinari (Corporate Communications Manager for Home Depot) at a Tweetup just the other day. I walked over and introduced myself, and proceeded to tell her that I intended to write an article soon using a video clip with her in it. I should point out that Nick Ayres (Interactive Marketing Manager at Home Depot), also featured in the aforementioned video, could be seen standing just across the room as well. Something about this interaction loosed something in me, something that in prior times was a little less than real to me.
Big brands use actual people to manage their social media presence.
At a Tweetup it is customary to use Twitter handles on nametags…your own “@name”, Sarah was @HomeDepot, and her nametag looked just like mine, same blue bordered sticker, hand written with the same Sharpie pen over on the welcome table. Epiphanies happen, just like that. Within 20 feet of me were Twitter people (Tweeple) that represented CNN, The Georgia Aquarium, Newell Rubbermaid, and many others. A room full of individual, fun, real, and unique people. I also realized that I am in fact taller than @HomeDepot.
I do believe that large brands have an easier time creating communities and conversations around their brand than many small businesses. I attribute much of this to the fact that they are already well known names. However, the brand itself is only part of the social media story. In large part, the success and impact that a big brand experiences on the social web should also be credited to the individual people who drive these representations and presence.
“Tweeting along with customer care reps Michael and Stephanie, Sarah has built the number of followers to 15,000 with folksy video about the arrival of the first Fraser Fir Christmas trees and polls on whether Thanksgiving turkeys are better deep fried, baked or smoked.” – Dave Armon at DNA13.com
I’m still wowed by Home Depot. But now, on Twitter at least, I think of myself as following and interacting with Sarah, Nick, Michael, and Stephanie. Keep that in mind as you listen to what is said in the video here, or as you read the quotes and click the links. In trying to understand what they (or any big brand) are doing with social media and why, I look at the efforts as being driven by their personalities, passions, and love of the brand that reveals much about why Home Depot is successful in their use of social media. I’m learning from people, and I can do that.
“It’s about sharing relevant info and being available when customers need us. That could be when a hurricane is bearing down or when someone’s water heater breaks.” – Sarah Molinari from Mashable’s “40 of the Best Twitter Brands and the People Behind Them“
Thanks for the post James. I too believe that Home Depot is doing it right, and I applaud the personal approach taken with their presence.
I also applaud the humility that you bring to the conversation and your willingness to always learn. This is a big topic for me on a personal and professional level right now, and I am striving for continued learning each and every day. Posts like this remind me that I'm not the only one that's out there trying to take it all in.
You're doing it right too, James. Thank you for sharing your journey with me and including me in the conversation!
Thank you Brandon, your participation here means a great deal to me. It's good to hear that the things that I write about are helpful. No offense to Home Depot, but I certainly didn't write this today to try and give their business a boost!They are doing it right…for them. All of this is relative, I like to witness success in this space but I can only consider the success of another as an opportunity to learn. The witnessing is not truly good for much else!I enjoy sharing what I see, think, and feel from the vantage point of either “I'm there with you now” or “been there, done that”…I'm pleased that this comes across as humility and not ignorance for you. My hope is to add conversation and useful insight. Think about it, this is a revolution of sorts. Is anyone truly big enough to conquer a learning curve with such a scale as this?You comments and input are valued here Brandon. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Great perspective James. I had that awakening myself. But what I think it slowly starting to happen is that large organizations like Home Depot are starting to see we are people too. Not just numbers and statistics. It is ok to form a relationship with the folks on the street. There is still a long way to go, but it seems a few are starting to get it…
Well Todd, I agree with you…and although I'm not speaking specifically about Home Depot when I say this, it would seem that it is precisely the numbers and statistics that are driving organizations to become more aware and active in social spaces. Traditional advertising and marketing methods and efforts don't produce the same yield that they once did, and social is providing some real results for many. I don’t think that it’s even a matter of “if” anymore, but instead “when” everyone in business will be present in social spaces engaged with the rest of the world. Thanks for commenting, I appreciate it!