“Boring” brands wake up to the possibilities of social media

Think your company, industry or brand is too boring to use social media? Well maybe not, says Chad Mitchell of Insurance Networking News. Mitchell provides great examples of how Geico, American Family and Nationwide are using Facebook, LinkedIn and other portals and tools that, Mitchell says, provide "content and tools to solve customer problems and improve customer experiences."

Who, in addition to insurance companies, can benefit from Mitchell’s advice? Utilities, financial planners and law firms, among others. The real question will be whether the conservative cultures in these industries will allow them to provide anything truly useful. Because once you start looking for reasons to opt out of the social media swimmin' pool, you'll start seeing nothing but riptides and sharks. So be bold, not boring. Dive in.

--Anthony J.