Milwaukee Social Media, a Milwaukee-based social media agency focused on helping area companies navigate social media as an effective marketing tool, has rebranded itself as Social Media Coach.
The new company, which will also be based in Milwaukee, has emerged with a new direction, aiming to educate professionals in financial planning, financial advising and retirement planning on the benefits of using social media outlets like LinkedIn.
Phil Gerbyshak, chief connections officer of the former Milwaukee Social Media, will lead Social Media Coach using his social media expertise and passion in tandem with his expertise in finance.
“It’s going to allow me to really blend my background and my passion,” said Gerbyshak, whose career includes more than six years as a vice president in information technology at Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co.
While Milwaukee Social Media has catered to companies in a variety of industries since it started serving clients in 2012, Social Media Coach will cater exclusively to professionals in financial services.
Gerbyshak will help clients understand compliance complexities, approaches to social media strategy, and effective and efficient ways to apply social media tools to their profession.
While financial professionals may not have an immediate need to join social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, staying updated on LinkedIn is critical to growing their client base, Gerbyshak said.
Prospective clients want to see that their financial advisor is up to date, and LinkedIn provides a gateway for them to look into an advisor’s background and experience.
“That is where your target audience already lives,” Gerbyshak said.
Gerbyshak, who is currently working with 15 financial services professionals, emphasizes that his role in his rebranded company is strictly coaching.
“That’s what I do,” Gerbyshak said. “I work with organizations, and I don’t do their social. I coach them so they can do their own.”
While he will still continue serving clients from Milwaukee Social Media, he plans to focus most of his attention on his new niche of financial services professionals.
Gerbyshak predicts that within the next three to five years, most professionals in most industries, including financial services, will use social media platforms like LinkedIn to directly connect with prospects and referral sources.
“So why not get ahead of the curve?” Gerbyshak said.
“This is an opportunity to be an early adopter,” he said.
For more information on Social Media Coach, visit http://socialmediacoach.com.
