Social media marketing is an artform. But unlike an artistic talent that comes naturally, it’s something that just about anyone who can put together a simple sentence, can learn to master. It just takes a bit of practice and discipline.
That, of course, and an understanding of what makes social media tick.
If you've ever wondered how experts (those with big followings online) got where they are, it’s simple. They learned to master the secrets that you, too, are about to discover:
1) Start With A Goal
Every business venture needs to have a goal. First, ask yourself why you want to use social media as your marketing tool? What do you want to achieve? Do you want increased recognition? Do you want to build your brand? Don’t start doing anything on social media until you've answered these questions.
2) Choose The Right Platform
Not all social media platforms are the same. Consider two things before you just start posting on a particular platform: 1) are your prospects and customers there? 2) does it make sense for your business to be there. Using one or two of the right social platforms correctly will be a lot more effective than using dozens of them ineffectively.
3) Get & Stay Motivated
Stop making excuses. If you have a business and you want to keep up with the times and thrive in your chosen industry, you need to be motivated. Backing out in the middle of your venture will mean that all of your effort, time and cash will go to waste. The same can be said for your commitment to social media. It takes time to develop an audience and a responsive following… you need to be motivated and committed, but it will pay off if you stick with it!
4) Be Effective
Being busy isn't the same as being effective. Fine tuning your website, reworking your window display, or revising a blog post until it’s “just right” won’t matter if you aren't driving the traffic from your social posts to those places for people to see what you've done. Don’t waste your time getting ready to get ready… just plan, and execute (even if it’s not always going to be perfect). You’ll get a lot more done that way.
5) Understand Your Audience
Your marketing efforts will go to waste if you do not have a full understanding of what your audience wants. In your social media content, focus on identifying and speaking to what they need, the common problems that they have, and the solutions that they are in search of.
6) Prioritize
Even if you decide to use more than one social media platform, it’s likely that you’ll have one platform that performs better than others. So take time to analyze and prioritize based on what’s working best.
7) Be Different
There are a lot of companies using social media as part of their marketing tool. You can expect for your competitors to be trying to do social marketing too. So, make sure that your posts, content, and campaigns stand apart from what others are doing.
8) Engage
You need to engage with your audience. Even if you keep on posting, you will not increase your followers or expand your reach if you do not interact with your audience. Consumers these days prefer a company that has a voice rather than faceless corporations who do not listen to what they have to say.
BONUS… Guidance Is Good
Succeeding on social media doesn't need to happen in a vacuum. If you believe in word of mouth marketing that social media can bring, then invest a few minutes in learn some more advanced strategies from a pro. A great place to start is with this free guide to 5 ways to find customers on Facebook.
Social media marketing is an artform. But unlike an artistic talent that comes naturally, it’s something that just about anyone who can put together a simple sentence, can learn to master. It just takes a bit of practice and discipline.