Not all “Social Media Marketing” ideas a great ideas. Just because it’s a buzz word doesn’t mean you can just throw up a twitter account, a Facebook app, or start a uStream channel with success. Did your last meeting look like this:

Beware of the hype. Social media marketing takes a strong understanding of your market and it’s interaction on the social media platform. Sure your customers might use Facebook, but what do they use it for? Will your brand fit into their social networking environment?

Companies that are based around technology seem to have no problem with social media strategies. Zappos.com is all about customer service and these tech happy customers can’t get enough of their interaction on Twitter.

Nike Plus which uses a high tech device in runners shoes to track their statistics, uses their social network to connect runners. Nike could easily take advantage of a Facebook application to allow runners to post their stats on their profiles. Here, the buzz words fit; the customers find value in their social media interaction!

Well add another one to the Chronology of Brands that Got Punk’d by Social Media, Wendy’s added themselves to the “gifts” application on Facebook, so you could send a chicken sandwich. Seems as though Facebook users would rather not send their friends a virtual heart attack. Check out my newsfeed:

Hmmm… buzz word bingo wasn’t such a good idea after all. The problem is clear: fast food and Facebook aren’t exactly a match made in heaven. When you’ve got food and service that’s prone to criticism, opening up an interactive Facebook campaign isn’t the best move.