People and Social Media are inseparable. Smart phone sales increase along with the advent of social platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Social Media Platforms have grown beyond personal social networking and has become a must for brands and companies to adopt more collaborative and social communication channels to buildcustomer relationships.

Relationship Marketing is a form of marketing that aims to actively build relationshipbetween the company and its customers, thus achieving customer satisfaction. Why is social media the perfect opportunity to achieve best results in Relationship Marketing?

It is simple and perfect.. If used correctly. Companies need to use Social Media for Relationship Marketing as opposed to a broadcasting platform. Here is an opportunity to establish a communication channel with your customers, to interact and understand how they perceive your brand, their interests and preferences, likes, dislikes and what exactly is the formula for a “a happy satisfied customer”.

A well thought social media strategy is important.

1. Take the responsibility to talk to your client yourself. Don’t wait them to come to you instead. Start the conversation. Say “hi”.

2. Know your customers and their preferences before you start publishing.

3. Think beyond intrusive advertising and instead create content that would encourage the customer to initiate dialogue

4. When you have a chance, ask what you can do to facilitate and improve customer service or your product.

5. Make your client a VIP. Provide them activities and resources they will only find in your company.

6. Don’t just keep posting. But listen and interact. More often we see companies posting content and not spending dedicated time for customer engagement on social media platforms

7. You need to understand your customer, not just through your own channel, but through related communities and channels on social media space. Monitoring and following discussions and engaging with costumers and an excellent opportunity for customer acquisition.

Care about the satisfaction of your client in the same way you care about the quality of your product. Give importance to Relationship Marketing, with a clear and dedicated social media strategy and you will have a new competitive advantage.

2014 is approaching, the year that one of the biggest worldwide sport events will be happening in Brazil, and the curiosity of foreign companies with that country has been growing. The region that once was best known for its parties, festivals and soccer is now one of the most promising countries of BRICs. Now, thinking about

Public Relations it’s important to analyze which strategies companies should use when advancing to Brazil. Brazil is the biggest country in South America, with a population of 194 millionhabitants, making it the 7th largest economy in the world. A factor that stands out about the development of the country is the fast-growing middle-class that integrates a strong consumer market that has a grown over 64% in the last 8 years. Foreign direct investments in the country totaled USD 59.893 billion, despite the global crisis environment; companies continue betting on the potential of the country and investing.

For companies who wish to make business in Brazil and communicate with the Brazilian audience, it is crucial to engage with a communications agency who understands the country’s market. Only those who know the peculiarities of each region, be they linguistic or cultural, and who already have open contact channels with the press there, are able to assist foreign companies in this enterprise.

Public relations, as the name suggests, is all about creating relationship, what requires a particular set of training and skills, but the most important the PR professionals must build their approach with regional differences in mind. Journalists in São Paulo, Brazil, may prefer different types of content and treatment than journalists from New York, London or Paris. Simple understanding of culture may change everything in a Public Relations Plan. There are no manuals where we can find the know-how of advancing into Brazil with a strong and well-connected brand. The experience will give the sensitivity and perception of the Brazilian Media, to judge each situation and interaction, responding with the appropriate action. This should be integrated with the knowledge of Brazilian media, great contacts and a comprehensive communications plan and aligned with the interests and strategy of the company.