Hootsuite and why it should be part of your Social Business Toolbox…..

When it comes to all the various Social Business platforms that are out there, you never know what the future holds as you start full of enthusiasm of all your plans of what you are doing with Facebook, and then you discover Twitter and less time is spent on Facebook as you are putting your effort into Twitter, but then along comes LinkedIn and the cycle starts all over again!

With dipping in and out of these platforms, you always seem to let one slip and then another and you are battling to keep on top of what you should be doing…….

Back around 2010 (it may have even have been earlier), I noticed I was in this same position but wasn’t sure what to do until I came across Hootsuite. Yes there were some other platforms around but with Social Media just starting to appear on people’s eye line, the question was – what was right, affordable and suitable?

I was then introduced to Hootsuite which allowed myself to have 5 Social Platforms for me to manage on a single screen, reply and share Free of Charge permanently which was rare back then as free always meant a catch somewhere…..

Note – If you want to share this information with your colleagues, manage more than 5 platforms and start doing long term marketing planning with bulk marketing scheduling amongst many other things, you could upgrade to Hootsuite Pro facility. This offering comes in two ways – a monthly fee or a discounted yearly fee paid up-front.

So, after a couple of months, I then up-graded to Pro and have been a Pro-User ever since. It is something I have recommended and endorsed ever since for one simple reason – it’s adaptable and at the right price point for all levels of users whether Personal, Solopreneur, SoHo, SMB, SME, National, International and Corporate users. Thus with something that I felt I was comfortable to use, share and promote, I then become a Hootsuite Partner and have been now since around 2012 and pleased to be able to share my insights and thoughts with you on here it can help both you and your company. (Note – during this period I also become a Hootsuite Ambassador too).

Over the last Five years, we have seen many changes and improvements within Hootsuite, it’s Hootlet and Dashboard. With more Platforms and Applications becoming more and more part of the Hootsuite repertoire, the uses and benefits that it offer’s means it is a “must have part of your Social/Digital Toolbox” and something that you must have in my honest opinion.

One key item to point out, is that when I started using Hootsuite all those years ago, you had the ability to utilise Five Social Business platforms within Hootsuite Free version. However, Hootsuite made some changes recently including reducing Five Social Business platforms down to Three which you can use within Hootsuite Free.

With Hootsuite, you have the ability to go to their website and sign up and start using the platform which is the same as many of the similar platforms offer but Hootsuite, take it a stage further, they also offer Ambassadors and Partners. So, yes you can go to the site and sign-up BUT I would seriously recommend you speak to a Hootsuite Ambassador or Hootsuite Partner – and ones that are actually these and can be verified.

Whilst many say they are part of Hootsuite – are they really?

As I keep hearing and seeing that “X is a Hootsuite Trainer” or “Y is a Hootsuite Coach” – I thought I would just go through who is who and what the difference is, as you need to make sure a) you know the difference and b) that you are using official Hootsuite Ambassadors and Partners.

Thus, I hope the information and insights below will allow you to see the difference:-

After a period of time Hootsuite users can be come Hootsuite Ambassadors – but is there a difference?

Hootsuite Ambassadors are often seen as being Community Managers, Social Media Strategists & Consultants, Marketing Specialists, Higher Education students, Bloggers and writers, Technology aficionados and Translators. They are expected to help Hootsuite with  Joining local/online social media clubs, Writing articles about Hootsuite, Amplify Hootsuite news and updates, Host free HootUP’s, Share regional insight & trends, Collaborate with other Hootsuite Ambassadors and To help translate Hootsuite.

As you can see from the above, Hootsuite Ambassadors are expected to come from certain backgrounds (which enable them to be help you and your company in a variety of areas) and what is required of them (thus enabling them to work with other Ambassadors to help you in areas they may not know – thus a pool of resource is available for you). Hootsuite Ambassadors are there to help you in a variety of ways and if you are looking to start using Hootsuite, then I would recommend you to speak to a Hootsuite Ambassador and if you want to check if they really are a Hootsuite Ambassador – contact @HootCommunity on Twitter to get confirmation if that person is an Ambassador.

 

Hootsuite Ammbassador EMEA - New User

– New to Hootsuite – If you have not used Hootsuite before, then click on the Hootsuite EMEA Ambassador badge on the left above to receive 30 Days of Hootsuite Pro

Hootsuite Ambassador EMEA - Free to Pro

– Currently a Free Hootsuite user but wanting to try Hootsuite Pro – If you currently are using Hootsuite as a Free User, then click on the Hootsuite EMEA Ambassador badge on the right above to receive 30 Days of Hootsuite Pro and University

 

Besides Hootsuite Ambassadors, you can also select Hootsuite Partners to help you utilise Hootsuite

Hootsuite Ambassadors are often seen as being Digital Marketing & PR Agencies, Social Media Strategists & Consultants, Marketing Specialists, Social Media Trainers, Technology Resellers, Software Providers and Systems Integrators. They are expected to help Hootsuite with Introducing Clients to Hootsuite &/or Referrals, Manage Clients on Hootsuite, Share Product Feedback, Share Best Practices & Client Stories/Successes and Provide Education to Clients.

As well as the above, HootPartners are able to you a more personal relationship with them being your own Personal Hootsuite Account Manager plus being able to you an extra level of Customer Service by having access to Tier One Level Customer Support. Also, by receiving specific Training and access to many resources, Partners are able to deliver you that extra level. If you are looking to start using Hootsuite but want that extra level of support and interaction, then I would recommend you speak to a Hootsuite Partner as they will be your own personal client manager. If you want to check if they really are a Hootsuite Partner – contact @HootPartners on Twitter to get confirmation if that person is an Partner.

Hootsuite Partner Program - New User

– New to Hootsuite – If you have not used Hootsuite before, then click on the Hootsuite EMEA Ambassador badge on the left above to receive 30 Days of Hootsuite Pro. This will then register with your Hootsuite Partner who will contact you to see what support and assistance you need.

Hootsuite Partner Program - Free to Pro

– Currently a Free Hootsuite user but wanting to try Hootsuite Pro – If you currently are using Hootsuite as a Free User, then click on the Hootsuite EMEA Ambassador badge on the right above to receive 30 Days of Hootsuite Pro and University. This will then register with your own Hootsuite Partner who will contact you to take you through things, answer questions and offer additional support and assistance that you may need.

 

I do trust that insight to Hootsuite, Hootsuite Ambassadors and Hootsuite Partners will help you understand why you should consider using Hootsuite.

 

For further information, on Ian Calvert or to contact to find out more, please click here.

Also, Whether you wish to contact myself as Hootsuite Ambassador or Hootsuite Partner to help you integrate Hootsuite into your Social Business requirements or those of your company, please complete the form below:-

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