Social media marketing is one of the most powerful tools business owners have access to. It allows you to connect with your audience. You can engage and build a community around your business. Business owners can also use it to learn more about their audience so they can better meet their needs.
So let’s take a look what you should be considering when utilizing social media for your business.
Identify Your Purpose and Goals
Why are you using social media and what do you hope to accomplish? There are many different reasons to use social media. You may use it to sell products, to build your opt-in list, or to drive traffic to your landing page. Do you want to generate new leads or build relationships with your existing prospects and clients? Consider both your long-term and short-term goals.
For example, if you want to build your opt-in list with social media marketing, how much do you want to achieve by the end of this month and what are your goals for the next three years? Setting the right goals for you and your business will help you create a social media marketing strategy that’s effective and productive.
Identify Tactics to Support Your Goals
There are different tactics to consider based on your business goals. For example, if you want to drive people to your opt-in page then you may want to hold a contest or sweepstakes that motivates people to sign up (be sure to check social media platform rules). You may also want to create a content marketing strategy specifically for social media that identifies you as an authority and promotes your opt-in offer. Once you’ve identified a tactic that works for your business, create an action plan and timeline.
Identify Your Brand Message![Tips for Using Social Media Marketing in Your Business](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
What message do you want to convey on your social media page(s) and how do you want to communicate it? Keep in mind that your message and brand should support your other branding efforts. However, your approach can be different on social media.
Finally, assess your resources and leverage technology. Identify the tools and technologies that can help you achieve your social media marketing goals. For example, there are services that automatically publish a link to your blog post on all of your social media accounts. There are also plug-ins that can be added to your website or blog that help visitors connect with you on social media. Take advantage of technology it will help you achieve your social media marketing goals and save you time and money.
At Strategize Your Success we help our clients reach their goals with technology so that they can build a stronger and more profitable business. Contact us today if you need help with strategic planning, branding or technology. Also, check out our resources page for additional tips.
Thanks for some helpful reminders. With so many platforms and ways to connect with your audience instantly, it is good to be reminded that “strategy first”, still applies, if you want to be effective.
Yes, having a plan of strategy is key. Without it you’re just throwing spaghetti on a wall to see what sticks.
I am on facebook all the time, and thought I knew it! Social media platform rules! Content marketing strategy! You’ve made me see there’s so much more to it, thank you! xx Angela
Glad it helped Angela.:) Social media can be such a powerful tool when used to its full potential.
We use Social Media to build relationships, to communicate with like-minded groups and give and receive support, to work with our communities, to market our programs and articles and services… it goes on and on. Thanks for this helpful article.
I’m in the midst of a complete overhaul of my website, programming and social media strategy. Thank you so much for the informative article!
Best to your overhaul Rachel. Let me know if you need any help.
Great reminders Wanda! I’m amazed at the tremendous relationships I’ve built through Facebook alone (like ours!) I’m sure there’s much more I can do. Can’t wait for your next post.
I have heard these questions before, Wanda, and I am still not clear on the answers on some platforms. I am a FB gal. I get it and that is where I live. I participate in Twitter and LinkedIn, because I have to, but really don’t get them and how to be effective there. Your questions are a reminder to me I have work to do and more clarity to gain on the social media front to really make the most of it. Thanks!
Excellent tips, Wanda. As with any other aspect of business, including the business itself, it’s SO important to have clear goals and motivations for using any one tool.