Smart Shopping for a Smart Phone: Part 3

After a few weeks or a couple days, the most important moment arrives: the decision moment.

Once you’ve gathered the information you need, organize it (even if only done mentally) as best you can and use it to make a decision. It also never hurts to throw out a last-minute Facebook or Twitter update, saying something like, “I think I’m going to go with @HTC’s Droid Incredible. Thoughts?”

I posted an update like this the day before my purchase and received two responses via Twitter — one from a satisfied Incredible owner who urged me to get it and another from HTC, also suggesting I go for the Incredible.

So, my mind was set. I purchased the Droid Incredible from BestBuy.com and arranged to pick it up in the store, where the Best Buy experts could help me get it ready to go. After overcoming a few hurdles in the activation process, I walked out with my brand-new phone and a big smile.

But your job, like mine, is not over once you’ve purchased. You and I now have an obligation to help others by sharing thoughts and opinions on our own phones and experiences using many communication modes, including social media.

Here are a few ways you can share your buying experience and your opinions on the product you purchased:

• Answer others’ product-related questions on Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo! Answers or other social sites.
• Write a blog post, Facebook note or tweet briefly reviewing the product after you’ve gotten familiar with it.
• Talk about your experience with family and friends.

How else might you share your experience with others?