I’ve been reading a lot of good things about Ford lately, and I’m not talking just about the fact they didn’t have their hand out for a bailout. In fact, I’m beginning to think one of the reasons they aren’t asking for a bailout is because “they get it”. What’s “it”? Connecting with their customers in today’s society, aka Social Media.
I started hearing more good things about Ford, and checking them out, after I read about their upcoming presentation at Web Expo 2.0 on how they set their content free and connected with their employees, customers and suppliers. Just reading this presentation outline makes you want to sit back and go “ooh” and “aaahh”. A company the size of Ford making the leap to social media is just amazing – but shows that Ford does indeed “get it”.
It wasn’t long after I read that article that I stumbled upon Scott Monty’s twitter page. Scott is the head of social media for Ford. Now there is a job title I’d love to get! Twitter is quickly becoming one of the more popular way for our mobile society to interact with each other. The fact that he’s using it not only to interact with Ford customers, but also to present a face of Ford, is what makes it such a worthwhile venture in my opinion. I feel that by being able to “tweet” him a message that I’m actually interacting with Ford on some level.
Ford doesn’t stop at Twitter, though. Facebook, Myspace, Second Life. These are all Ford media outlets. I feel I can get more information about Ford products through these outlets than I could ever get before. The beauty of it is that I’m getting information from all sides, and not just what traditionally would have been pushed to me by Ford. The information is when I want it, where I want it and how I want it. I’m in control of the content delivery!
I have to think to myself is it no wonder why Ford is weathering this economic storm much better than Chrysler and GM when they have forward-thinking leaders who see the value of social media. They understand the value in connecting with their customers and hearing the good, the bad and the ugly. They aren’t trying to make us buy a Ford or tell us how great they are – through their efforts they instead create evangelists, fans and enthusiasts who buy a Ford because they feel connected to the brand. They feel they know more about Ford and its cars through the community and not just one-sided conversation.
Folks, you can’t buy better marketing then this. When will other companies get it?