Top tips on social media marketing
If you’ve ever tagged a photo or written a blog, commented in an online forum or updated your status, suggested a friend or even watched a You Tube video then you’ve got first-hand experience of social media.
Social media is comprised of a growing number of these online platforms which range from streaming video sites and micro-blogs, photo album sites to live web-casts.
The rise of social media has literally torn down all previous barriers to communication, replacing traditional forms of communication with vast online communities where conversation is king.
There has been a great deal of debate about the merits of social media for small to medium enterprises and many have been put off by its apparent complexity – particularly business-to-business (B2B) organisations.
If you follow our following simple tips though, you may well be on to a social media winner:
- Are your prospects and/or customers using social media? If they are then you have a very good reason to at least take a closer look.
- Engage your audience – the key to success is to encourage conversation with and amongst your targets. Pose topical questions or raise concerns relevant to your industry, do this and social media communities will welcome you with open arms.
- For those who have something valuable to contribute to discussions, finding the best way to communicate it is vital – find out which social media platforms your targets are using and how they prefer to communicated with.
- Be patient – a great deal of time and effort will almost certainly be required to establish a credible presence amongst your targets. You’ll then be in a much better position to introduce your product and businesses will be far more interested in hearing what you have to say.
- Consider your own strengths and weaknesses – if writing isn’t your forte for instance, then a blog could prove challenging. Videos are often more appealing to decision makers than other formats but if you struggle for time, then producing a You Tube video may well be beyond your means.
- Don’t let that deter you though! If you lack the resources to undertake such a task in-house, talk to a marketing or PR agency that knows your industry. They will be able to guide you through the near endless possibilities of social media and what it may hold for your business.
- Don’t underestimate the significance of social media – this isn’t a ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ fad. If we weren’t looking for potential friends, sharing experiences and ideas, and engaging in debate, we wouldn’t be human. Social media is destined to affect just about every business on the planet – including yours.
Don’t get left behind – if your customers and prospects are using social media platforms and you aren’t available to respond or engage with them, one thing is almost inevitable – you competitors will be!
