How Brands Can Sell More TV’s Using Social Media

Since I’m looking for a new TV and in celebration of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas I thought I’d blog about how brands can sell more TV’s using social media.  Below is my actual tweet at 10.36pm on Jan. 9th. The rest of the twitter conversation is completely made up.

ChadSchaeffer 10:36pm via HootSuite Going to buy new TV soon. Suggestions? 55″ so it can be hung in built in. Plasma vs LED? Wireless for apps obviously.

Panasonic sees my tweet and replies……

@chadschaeffer Who are you rooting for? Is there anything more fun then a new TV? Man cave or family room? How big will the wife let you go?

@panasonic Uggh! Cowboys fan. TV for SB party in family room. thinking 55”. Want wireless for netflix, youtube, amazon, app store.

@chadschaeffer Link to cnet TV reviews http://ow.ly/gez, link SB party recipes http://ow.ly/cke, 2 Excedrin for being Cowboy fan

@panasonic you must be Eagles fan! Looks like P55VT50 is highly rated.

@chadschaeffer If we are lucky enough to earn your business here is link to P55VT50 http://ow.ly/gez. Twitter code #TW01 15% discount.

@panasonic Wow! I think you did earn my business. Great service. BTW..love the hot wing recipe!

@chadschaeffer Please send us a pic of your new Panasonic once it arrives. Questions just tweet us, here to help. Enjoy the game and wings.

My last tweet would probably mention @panasonic

If you are looking for new TV check out reviews on @panasonic. Plus they have awesome service on Twitter. Bought P55VT50. Please RT!

Now I only have about 1,300 followers on Twitter, 425 Facebook friends and a few hundred people read my blog.

So my reach is 2,000 people.

Perhaps 1% of my followers read and RT and they each have a reach of 2,000 people. 20 x 2,000 is an online reach 40,000.

Panasonic would likely RT my last comment to their 16,000 followers, again same ratio of 1% read and RT and their reach is 320,000.

Total online reach is 362,000.

Now 1% would be way too high a number, 3,620 people are not going to run out and buy a Panasonic.   But is 1% of 1% too high?

Could an interaction like the one above influence the buying decision of 36 people? Maybe but probably still high. Would 3 people be reasonable and at $2,000 for the P55VT50 would you agree the return on investment of 3 or 4 tweets is worth $6,000?

Also keep in mind this does not take into account my offline influence through positive word of mouth when I share my incredible experience with Panasonic.

But here is the hundred thousand dollar question. How many total TV buying conversations are on Twitter everyday leading up to Christmas and through the Super Bowl.  I’m guessing hundreds of thousands.

I smell opportunity!

Ready for the million dollar question? How much is it worth to the Panasonic brand to just be social? To connect with people talking about TV’s? To engage and have conversations about TV’s? Or simply be nice and helpful?