Social Media Marketing Rules

It’s important to keep in mind the rules of the social media world or you will quickly find that your efforts are not producing results. It may seem like a good idea to shout on the rooftops about how great your business/service/product is, however you wouldn’t be following the rules.

1. Social Media is not a sales tool. Your target audience is not on social media to be sold to. While increasing brand awareness (and ultimately sales) might be your main goal for your social media strategy, going in with a hard sell will turn off potential connections.
2. It’s all about them. Everyone has a story and wants to be heard. Social Media is the perfect platform for this as it allows users to express themselves and their opinions. If you engage and communicate with your target audience, you will create a strong connection with your business.
3. The good, the bad and the ugly. Some businesses have concerns if they engage in social media they are giving their customers an opportunity to be critical or negative about their business. What they don’t realize is this is happening whether they have a social media presence or not. Wouldn’t you rather be a part of that conversation to address negativity directly and make it right for that particular customer? The result is your business showing you really do care about your customer.
4. All in. You must be fully committed to your social media strategy or you will not succeed. It’s not enough to set up a Facebook page for your business and say you are engaging in social media. You must be present to ask questions, give responses and provide useful information. That is why it’s so important to know what resources you have available to help you do that.

Social Media Tactics

Developing the right social media tactics will help you achieve you goals for your social media presence. Also knowing what resources you have available will help ensure you don’t get in over your head.

1. Exclusive. Why should your target audience follow you in social media? You need to have exclusivity for your followers and that can be in many forms. You might have exclusive promotions or offers to your followers. Maybe you will announce a new product first to your followers. Or maybe you just want to give your followers and exclusive platform to provide you with feedback.
2. Information. What are your followers going to learn from you on social media? You may want to provide a behind-the-scenes look into your manufacturing process. Or maybe you want to share an uncommon fact about a specific product or service. Give your followers the inside scoop and they will see the benefit to following you.
3. Education. A great way to engage your followers is providing them with educational material. Maybe it’s a series of educational videos or a hint or tip about your product or service. Whatever it is, you are providing value to your followers.
4. Promotions and Contests. This is a popular way to engage your social media followers. By running promotions and contests you are giving your followers a chance to engage with you and they might even win something for doing so. It’s a common reason why your target audience might follow you and can lead to further conversations and engagement. It also allows you followers to show how much they love your business!
5. Integrate for Success. Social Media is most successful when integrated into your current marketing strategy. By cross promoting your efforts you will ensure your target audience knows where to find you, and how to connect with you to start receiving the benefits of that connection.

Social Media Articles

• DIG Blog: Embrace Social Media
• Using Social Media Sites for Business
• Developing a Social Networking Strategy
• Choosing where to have a Social Media Presence
• Social Media Marketing Rules
• 5 Great Things Social Networking Can Do For Your Company
• The Top 10 Reasons Why Consumers Follow a Company on Facebook

 

DIG Social Media Management Programs