5 Tips for Social Media Success
April 24, 2012 Leave a commentThe following post are 5 tips that will help in your Social Media strategy for any organization. These are just 5 easy tips out of 10 that can be used in order to strengthen any social media platform. We hope that you find these extremely useful.
Why should businesses bother with social media? From Twitter and Pinterest to Facebook and Google+, the social realm can bring the human element to a product or service. A Facebook page enables a company to share behind-the-scenes photos or answer consumer questions. On Twitter, that same company can offer coupons, or get in touch with a person immediately over a complaint.
“Social Media Examiner’s recent survey of social media marketers found 85 percent indicated that their social media efforts have generated more exposure for their businesses,” wrote Chris Horton in socialmediatoday. “The more social media followers you have, the more your content spreads, and the more impact you have on results in search engines, but many of them might be able to share content or take an action online that could refer a customer.”
Basically, these vast social networks give companies large and small a vehicle to interact with consumers on a person-by-person basis, usually with a photo of the person to go along with the interaction. It’s all about being real—and accountable.
Having a social media presence can also bring relevant visitors, a.k.a. potential customers, to your website. “In fact, that same study noted that 74 percent of marketers interviewed found a substantial increase in website traffic with as little as six hours per week invested in social media marketing,” wrote Horton.
But just because a business has entered the social spheres, doesn’t mean it is using the medium well, or even correctly. Here are 10 tips to help ensure your company’s success, via Mashable:
1). Think equality. Facebook’s team does not distinguish between companies and people. All pages are created equal, and taking that view in approaching your own social campaign may help.
2). Use your staff. Creating a happy work environment will encourage your staff to convey that happiness to your company’s social networks. An insider’s look at how a company functions can lead to trust and brand loyalty from the consumers who see it.
3). Keep executives at bay. Many executives—aside from relishing corporate speak and jargon—are far removed from the day-to-day consumer experience. Letting those execs handle your various social media accounts may result in unintended fan alienation.
4). Bring your business to your fans. Run an art supply shop? Go to gallery openings and live tweet the events. Specialize in sound engineering? Attend industry events, and post relevant photos on Facebook. You want to get out into your communities, and let your communities know you’re there.
5). Go beyond the conversation. By incorporating your customers into videos, photos, and new product concepts, you’re extending ownership over your brand to them. Instead of an untouchable corporation, you’re involving customers in the process, creating a two-way street—a partnership.