Most small business owners already know that if you’re not using social media marketing, you’re simply missing the boat. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and many newcomers to the scene represent excellent ways to get the word out about your biz. With all of these sites at your disposal and all the methods with which to use them, however, the process can seem overwhelming. Instead of getting frustrated and giving up, know that there is a method to the madness – and embrace it. Read on to learn how to develop and maintain an effective social media strategy for your small business.
1. Start With the Most Successful Sites
Facebook and Twitter continue to maintain a foothold as two of the most popular social media websites, althoughPinterest and Google Plus are moving up rapidly. Unless there’s a major shift in the social media landscape, though, those first two websites are your best bets for launching a campaign. If you’re already there, work on maximizing your effectiveness on them. If you’re not, get started now.
2. Investigate Lesser Known Sites
Have you ever heard of StumbleUpon? New social media websites are popping up all the time and you never know where your next set of customers is going to come from. The more saturated the top platforms become, the harder it’s going to be to reach an audience on them – your voice may be more easily heard in smaller rooms. Of course, don’t take that as license to veer away from Facebook and Twitter, but do investigate these other sites as time permits.
3. Place a Key Focus on Content Quality
No matter where you go with your social strategy, content is always going to be key. Never post anything less than your best work. If it’s an image on Pinterest, make sure it’s high quality. If it’s a tweet, make those few words impactful. Just because you’re limited to 140 characters doesn’t mean quality should suffer. For all posts, draw upon your industry experience to provide lesser known details and advice, and once you come up with a posting schedule, scale it back if your quality begins to suffer. This point can’t be emphasized enough.
4. Track Your Efforts
It’s essential that you monitor the progress of your social media campaign so you know what’s working and what isn’t. Even though Facebook and Twitter do work for most small businesses, they might not work for you. UseHootSuite or Google Analytics to effectively keep up on the success of each of your individual campaigns.
5. Effectively Adjust Your Strategy
Next, act on your results. If Twitter isn’t giving you the boost you expected, you might not want to abandon it, just tweak your strategy or devote less of a focus to it. If a newer player like Tumblr or Reddit doesn’t show any signs of life, eliminate it and move on to something else like Instagram or Digg. Gathering data on your social strategy is important, but that does nothing if you don’t put it to good use.
6. Always Respond to Comments
No matter where you market via social media, you can’t realize any individual site’s full potential without responding to each and every comment. Even if it’s simply acknowledging and thanking a reader for taking the time, this can have a positive effect. If you encounter negative comments, jump on them immediately. These are only blemishes on your reputation if you do nothing about them. First off, be governed by the notion that the customer is always right.
There’s nothing more off-putting than a Twitter fight between a business owner and a patron, even if you’re sure you’re correct. Take this opportunity to acknowledge any grievances and make up for them ten-fold, publicly. Turn that complaint into an asset and you’ve not only won over that customer, but all the others who read the exchange.
Final Thoughts
No social media strategy can succeed without an appropriate amount of time devoted to it. If your budget doesn’t have room to hire a social media manager, you’re going to have to wear that hat yourself. In order to free up the needed time, organize your day, schedule your most difficult projects for when you’re at your best (either morning or evening) and eliminate any unnecessary interruptions.
Stop spending time on useless phone calls from telemarketers and other folks who don’t serve your business needs. Get yourself physically fit so you perform at a high level each and every day, and take your breaks. Don’t feel bad about going out for a walk or for lunch each day, because your business is going to benefit from your refreshed mind. Social media marketing is important, but only if you’re fully up to the task.
How did you go about creating your social strategy? Leave your tips in the comments below!
Source: http://www.business2community.com/social-media/6-beginner-tips-creating-solid-social-media-marketing-strategy-0783129#!wIkYk
1. Start With the Most Successful Sites
Facebook and Twitter continue to maintain a foothold as two of the most popular social media websites, althoughPinterest and Google Plus are moving up rapidly. Unless there’s a major shift in the social media landscape, though, those first two websites are your best bets for launching a campaign. If you’re already there, work on maximizing your effectiveness on them. If you’re not, get started now.
2. Investigate Lesser Known Sites
Have you ever heard of StumbleUpon? New social media websites are popping up all the time and you never know where your next set of customers is going to come from. The more saturated the top platforms become, the harder it’s going to be to reach an audience on them – your voice may be more easily heard in smaller rooms. Of course, don’t take that as license to veer away from Facebook and Twitter, but do investigate these other sites as time permits.
3. Place a Key Focus on Content Quality
No matter where you go with your social strategy, content is always going to be key. Never post anything less than your best work. If it’s an image on Pinterest, make sure it’s high quality. If it’s a tweet, make those few words impactful. Just because you’re limited to 140 characters doesn’t mean quality should suffer. For all posts, draw upon your industry experience to provide lesser known details and advice, and once you come up with a posting schedule, scale it back if your quality begins to suffer. This point can’t be emphasized enough.
4. Track Your Efforts
It’s essential that you monitor the progress of your social media campaign so you know what’s working and what isn’t. Even though Facebook and Twitter do work for most small businesses, they might not work for you. UseHootSuite or Google Analytics to effectively keep up on the success of each of your individual campaigns.
5. Effectively Adjust Your Strategy
Next, act on your results. If Twitter isn’t giving you the boost you expected, you might not want to abandon it, just tweak your strategy or devote less of a focus to it. If a newer player like Tumblr or Reddit doesn’t show any signs of life, eliminate it and move on to something else like Instagram or Digg. Gathering data on your social strategy is important, but that does nothing if you don’t put it to good use.
6. Always Respond to Comments
No matter where you market via social media, you can’t realize any individual site’s full potential without responding to each and every comment. Even if it’s simply acknowledging and thanking a reader for taking the time, this can have a positive effect. If you encounter negative comments, jump on them immediately. These are only blemishes on your reputation if you do nothing about them. First off, be governed by the notion that the customer is always right.
There’s nothing more off-putting than a Twitter fight between a business owner and a patron, even if you’re sure you’re correct. Take this opportunity to acknowledge any grievances and make up for them ten-fold, publicly. Turn that complaint into an asset and you’ve not only won over that customer, but all the others who read the exchange.
Final Thoughts
No social media strategy can succeed without an appropriate amount of time devoted to it. If your budget doesn’t have room to hire a social media manager, you’re going to have to wear that hat yourself. In order to free up the needed time, organize your day, schedule your most difficult projects for when you’re at your best (either morning or evening) and eliminate any unnecessary interruptions.
Stop spending time on useless phone calls from telemarketers and other folks who don’t serve your business needs. Get yourself physically fit so you perform at a high level each and every day, and take your breaks. Don’t feel bad about going out for a walk or for lunch each day, because your business is going to benefit from your refreshed mind. Social media marketing is important, but only if you’re fully up to the task.
How did you go about creating your social strategy? Leave your tips in the comments below!
Source: http://www.business2community.com/social-media/6-beginner-tips-creating-solid-social-media-marketing-strategy-0783129#!wIkYk
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