John S. Wolfe

Wednesday’s AMA Phoenix luncheon packed great information into an hour, with a Valley social media all-star panel of Pam Slim of “Escape from Cubicle Nation” fame, Matt O’Brien of Mint Social, Mike Corak of Tallwave and Cindy Kim of JDA Software.

The experts emphasized that social media is a community, not a place for wanton selling. Simply blabbing about yourself or your business ignores the real power of the medium – connecting with others who can educate, enlighten and enrich lives.

“Social media isn’t about you,” Corak said. “It’s about the community in which you participate, so engage!”

The panel agreed that blogs are a great way to build rapport with customers. O’Brien cautioned, however, that blogs shouldn’t be a monologue.

“Blogs can be a spot where you share the best of the best,” with contributions and links showcasing what leaders in your industry are saying, he said.

Kim noted that hits to a company website increase dramatically when the company starts a blog.

“Websites are often static while blogs are dynamic and can be updated quickly with breaking news,” she said.

Slim said it is important to listen to what is being said about you on the Internet but companies need to use discretion in who it responds to and how it responds.

“You needn’t engage every critic. You have a choice in who you let into your world,” she said. “Leave the troll under the bridge!”

Finally, Corak warned of the perils of not joining the social media wave.

“Social is the new telephone,” he said. “What would happen to your business if you just turned off your phone?”

Corak and O’Brien on how to assess an investment in social media:

Slim and Kim on how to interact with customers when a crisis hits or negative comments are expressed:

On Twitter: @Blogster @MikeCorak @CindyKimPR and @pamslim