The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the successful implementation of social media strategies in multiple organizations. Examining the factors an organization used to implement social media can provide the understanding of the benefits and risks associated with this technology. Some businesses are considered successful using social media technology. What is not clear in the research and literature is what social media strategies and tools that successful for-profit organizations used. The research question to address the study is: How do for-profit business personnel responsible for social media implement a successful social media strategy? The methodology and research design was a qualitative explanatory case study. The population is drawn from all for-profit organizations with social media presence in the United States. The sample was four organizations that have been successful at deploying social media strategies based on articles from "Fortune," "Forbes," "Entrepreneur," and "Oregon Business," that determined businesses that did social media well. Data was collected using one-on-one interviews through electronic means, followed by site visits by the researcher. Findings of this study indicated that for-profit businesses that have successfully implemented social media strategy had the following elements: (a) social media plan, (b) had executive "buy-in", (c) dedicated social/digital department, (d) used metrics, and (e) resources for sustainability and expansion. Challenges found were (a) executive buy-in, (b) resources, (c) time, (d) finding social media experts, (e) understanding social media, (f) message the same across all channels, and (g) social media platforms continually changing. Recommendation for further research to focus on how organizations are implementing social media based on the size of the organization and what products or services they provide. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]