When it comes to social media, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed fast. It seems like every day there’s a new network. Plus, it’s often hard to determine how (or if) social media is “working” for you. Who has time for all of these?
Social media can be great for your business, but only if it works as a tool to help you connect with your customers and meet your goals. Don’t do it just because everyone else is. Here are 4 tips that will help you get the most out of your social media marketing.
- Put together a calendar and plan
In order for social media to work for your business, it needs to be part of your overall marketing plan. Don’t just post for the sake of posting. Ideally, social media should help you engage with your customers and bring people to your website so they can learn more about who you are and what you have to offer. Determine how many posts you’ll do per week and per month – and who will be responsible for creating the content. You can always add more posts later if you need to (as long as you don’t overdo it), but unless you have a schedule in place, you’re likely to end up with no posts at all.
- Focus your efforts in a few areas
Trying to post on too many social networks will drive you crazy. Determine which 2-3 are best for your business. Take note of where your customer base is most active and put your energies there. In addition to noting where you have the most followers, check your Google Analytics reports. See where your website referral traffic is coming from and what they do on your site. If a particular post brings a high number of people to your site, keep that in mind and try similar posts in the future.
- Mix things up
You don’t have to post the same things all the time. In fact, it’s better if you don’t. Try different types of posts and see what gets people sharing and taking action. Post some company photos, ask for feedback through quick polls, link to your blog posts or helpful articles, provide tips for using your products, offer specials just for followers, etc. Find ways to create content that has meaning and gives something of value to your followers. Remember, the point of social media isn’t just to sell all the time. It’s a way to build your brand, tell your story and engage your audience.
- Watch your pages
Customers who have had a bad experience with your brand may vent their frustration on your page. If you don’t respond – or act like you’re not interested in what they have to say – people will take notice. If you get a bad review or post on a site, deal with it directly as soon as possible. You probably won’t be able to fix all problems, but by addressing them and attempting to make things right, you’ll go a long way toward building loyalty and goodwill.
The same goes for positive feedback. If you get a good review, post or suggestion from a customer through social media, thank them and act on it if possible.
Still have questions? Need help in putting together a social media marketing plan or creating content? Contact us to find out how we can help.
