Are You Doing Social Media Right and for the Right Reasons?

Social Media continues to be a powerful tool in your marketing toolbox. Are you making the most of it to promote your business?

Sprocket Websites advises including social media as a part of a business marketing plan, but the emphasis is on “part” while not forgetting to “plan.” In some industries, social media is a major contributor to success, but it doesn’t work the same for everyone. While one company might focus a lot of attention on social media, another company may find the bare minimum is sufficient. 

Industries where repeat business is natural such as restaurants and salons probably benefit most from social media if they offer coupons and announce sales that people will want to use on a regular basis. But since folks don’t buy a new roof every few weeks, the kind of social media a roofing company might do is going to be very different.

While deciding what your own social media campaign should be, keep these thoughts in mind:

Prove your viability
Prospective customers research companies online and being active on social media is evidence that your company is alive and well. “Active” doesn’t have to mean multiple posts a day, but you don’t let months go by between posts either. Shoot for regular, informative and entertaining posts that say “We are a real business.”

Cultivate followers
Getting the right followers is the hardest part of social media marketing. Make the effort to search out your target market and invite them to follow you. Paid advertising options can help introduce you to new audiences. 

Find industry influencers
The easiest way to find informative and entertaining posts is to follow the mentors in your industry. Sharing their nuggets of wisdom along with a personal comment is a quick way to provide good content. Also, consider following local influencers to share news that will appeal to your geographic area. 

Partner with a complementary business
If you sell teapots and they sell tea cozies, you share the same target market. Comment on and re-post each other’s content so you’ll be visible to each other’s followers. 

Send traffic to your website
While it’s fun to share a celebrity’s latest meme, they aren’t selling your product or service. Instead, spend more time sending followers to your own website. Yes, that means you need to keep it updated with content worth sharing. Try blog posts, white papers, or event notifications. 

Be social back
It’s strange but true:  most businesses aren’t very social on social media. Instead, they just broadcast, and even when people comment on a broadcasted post, many businesses don’t even acknowledge them with a reply. Ask your followers questions, prompt them for opinions, and always take the time to reply.

Marketing is an art rather than a science and social media is no exception. For better success, set realistic expectations, follow a plan, and support your social media efforts with a fantastic product, your best customer service, and a strong website. If it makes the most sense for you to focus on the product and customer service, let our Sprocket team handle the website and social media for you. Contact us today for a quote!

Photo by Marcelo Chagas from Pexels 

This article is an update to “Social Media To-Dos You Aren’t Doing” dated 9/14/2014. 

 

Kate GingoldKate Gingold

I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.

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I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.

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