What's In An Acronym
What’s in an Acronym?

Well, lots actually---every letter of an acronym can stand for something. Take for instance the acronym from Urban Dictionary, IYKWIM, translated as, “If you know what I mean.” It’s an extreme example of an acronym and definitely a source of extreme confusion. You’d probably want to use it only with your more astute texting friends and certainly not in a business communication. 

Acronyms Here, There and Everywhere
A digital world feeds our desire for speed in our communications. Acronyms play a huge part as the codes we use to shorten communication and save even more time. They are a staple in social media, business and tech communication. Every business has its own acronyms. We use them all the time in marketing---ROI, SEM, SEO, B2B, B2C, KPI and more. 

Timeshare has its own set of Sales Terms: VPG (Volume per Guest), AVC (Average Volume per Call), and Customer Engagement Terms such as: NPS (Net Promoter Score) CES (Customer Effort Score), USP (Unique Selling Proposition).

Baseball might be considered one of the first “acronymers”---it’s always had acronyms. Baseball enthusiasts can never forget these: RBI (Runs Batted In), OBP (On Base Percentage), ERA (Earned Run Average), LOB (Left on Base), and now even MVR (Mound Visits Remaining)).
Business and Social Acronyms are NOT the Same
There is a big difference between the acronyms you use when texting a friend and those you use in your business. The conversational acronyms you use with a friend are generally casual. Business acronyms should be as strategically crafted as your marketing strategy. Within your company you may use acronyms that help simplify internal communications, but unless you’ve reached the status of an IBM or A.T. & T, the use of an acronym as your corporate name may not be the best choice for the basis of your corporate identity. Unless of course it’s that highly recognizable company-- GBG!

Your company name is part of your image. There should be no doubt about the image and message your company projects. Keep it professional, consistent and clear enough to be understood across all your social media platforms. Leave the acronyms for your friends and family.

Do you use acronyms frequently?   If so, what are they?  Here’s a list of a few acronyms that are commonplace. Do you have any to add?

A Few Acronyms to Get You Started

B2B - Business to Business
A company with business-facing priorities.

B2C - Business to Consumer
A company that offers products or services directly to customers.

CMGR - Community Manager
Community Managers engage, nurture and cultivate the brand’s relationships on social media.

CTA - Call to Action
A verbal, written or visual prompt that offers a directive on what to do next such as, Sign up, Subscribe or Call us Today.

KPI - Key Performance Indicator
A broad measurement that tracks how effectively a company is accomplishing its goals.

ROI - Return on Investment
Measures how much profit is attained from corporate initiatives. Assesses the success of campaigns and ventures.

ROO- Return on Objectives
We use this at GBG to establish goals, milestones and measure against those benchmarks.

SEM - Search Engine Marketing
A method of advertising that involves purchasing ads on search engines to increase website traffic.

SEO - Search Engine Optimization
A method to improve organic search engine results and increase visibility of web content.

SMP - Social Media Platform
Abbreviation sometimes used to refer to the site of a particular social network.

SMM - Social Media Marketing
Increasing brand awareness on social media to build relationships and generate leads.

TOS - Terms of Service
The legal rules users agree to follow to use a social media platform.

UGC - User Generated Content
Any content, posts, images or videos, that’s shared by end users of a social media platform or other site.

WOM - Word of Mouth
The buzz and viral passing of brand conversation online through the active encouragement of a company.