With more people turning to social media for real-time updates that are relevant to them, the opportunities of social media for utilities like the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) are plenty. Before, customers receive updates through bill inserts. Now, with Facebook becoming one of the leading communication tools for utilities, companies can interact with their customers with less cost and more efficiency.
In fact, a survey by Pike Research estimates that 57 million people used social media in 2011 to engage with utilities, and by 2017, they estimate the number will rise to 624 million. The top three platforms are Facebook (75 percent), Twitter (27 percent), and YouTube (23 percent).
Utilities like VECO have long been on board various social media platforms, which they maximized to communicate effectively their brand. Understanding the potential of social media as a tool to strengthen customer satisfaction, they have embraced proactively the opportunity to engage with their partners, customers and other stakeholders.
For VECO, specifically, social media has been instrumental in communicating updates in the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda that hit the Visayas region of the Philippines in 2013.
For utilities that have yet to join the social media bandwagon, remember to plan first based on customers needs, insights and preferences.
As a start, here are some opportunities that social media offer to your utility:

Do you want to learn more about how to maximize social media for your business? Connect with Third Team Media today.