If you could ask a social media marketer any question, what would it be?
Would you ask them how to get more people to like your Facebook Page? Or, do you want to know how to get those “likes” to add to your bottom line? Or do you want to know what to do put your Linked In profile to work for you?
You’re not alone you know.
Every business owner and marketer I talk to wants to know how to make social media work for their business.
I just got off a call with 4 guys who know a lot about social media and marketing. Guys who leverage tools like Facebook to increase their bottom line and those of their clients.
Unfortunately, I was on the call in the windy Florida night as Hurricane Sandy roars near and didn’t get to write down some of their insights.
So, I’ll share 3 keys points I made and that I always make when leading seminars or speaking at events.
1) Plan. Plan the objectives you want to achieve by using social media – building your email list or letting people know you exist are two possibilities. Then, use the tools available to make that happen.
Think about where your audience is likely to hang out online. To use Rick Toone’s example, if you’re a house painter you may choose to target certain neighborhoods with your marketing. Social media is the same way. Choose Facebook, Linked In, YouTube or Google + but choose the one where your business makes sense.
2) Watch what your competition is doing in those areas. What do you like or not like about what they’re doing? What seems to strike a nerve? What gets people talking and interacting?
3) Don’t be overly promotional. A Facebook post is not a billboard or a newspaper ad. It’s a conversation. If you ask questions and post interesting articles or pictures, you’re going to gain more likeability and trust than if you constantly make sales post. Constant sales posts = big turnoff which = no social media success.
4) Be committed. It takes more than a couple of weeks or months to see results. Just like building your business didn’t happen overnight, social media will take some time. If you put a plan into action and follow the steps, you’ll see results.
Does all this sound confusing or overwhelming?
It doesn’t need to be. If you’re in the Philadelphia area, there’s a conference on Nov. 9 that will give you a roadmap to social media marketing success.
You’ll get the overview of social media so you’ll have the context. Then you’ll get at least 2 hours of solid hands on work. Want to know more? Discover more at the social business future.
