How Social Networking Drives Businesses

Social media monitoring companies can benefit businesses that are trying to increase their knowledge of customer preferences. When keywords that relate to those businesses’ products are searched, results can reveal valuable feedback regarding consumers’ opinions about those products. Technology companies that regularly release new versions of equipment and software are examples of prime potential beneficiaries of this type of insight. In addition, companies such as TV networks rely heavily on the approval of their audience, and can benefit from viewing online conversations regarding their services. These types of businesses can then respond to feedback shown on social networks to raise customer satisfaction and increase profits. Microsoft is one company that probably uses and benefits from this service from social networking monitoring companies. Windows 8 was released last year and has received negative feedback from customers, which resulted in a significant response by Microsoft. Since most customers are used to the standard start menu, rather than the start screen in Windows 8, many customers have experienced frustration with adjusting to the new layout. As a result, many customers have opted to stick with Windows 7 or earlier versions, rather than upgrading to Windows 8. This negative response caused Microsoft to increase the price of the Windows 7 operating system to encourage more purchases of Windows 8. In addition, Microsoft has already developed Windows 8.1 after barely one year since the release of Windows 8. Complaints regarding the Windows 8 operating system can easily be found on social networking sites and other online chat rooms. This online tactic has allowed Microsoft to gain access to such information about the overall satisfaction with their product, and thus the company became aware very quickly and has already taken action to improve their current state. Television networks also rely heavily on social media to attract more viewers. For instance, many people use Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of networking to discuss their opinions on various issues regarding particular shows. Often, people who write the plots of the shows will choose the resolutions that the majority of viewers seem to want. If there is a love triangle on a show, the two people that end up together are usually the ones who will make most of the viewers happy. If viewers express enthusiasm over a particular character, the odds are higher that the character will be seen on more episodes or future seasons. Since the goal of a company that produces television shows is to achieve high ratings, the story-lines, characters, and conclusions will be based on reaching that goal. Opinions on all kinds of shows are posted all over social media since people generally enjoy having conversations and debates with others who watch the same shows as them. Therefore, the services social media monitoring companies can provide to TV networks are invaluable. Through monitoring social media, companies can gain significant feedback regarding their customers’ preferences. Technology companies such as Microsoft that strive to improve product perception and Television networks that try to improve ratings represent examples of likely beneficiaries of this type of monitoring. Any social media forum, whether it is Twitter or simply a site with product or TV reviews, will provide helpful information for any company that aims to increase customer satisfaction and achieve greater profits.