Social Media Strategy Establishing Your Plan
In an age where birds are not the only ones who “Tweet” and what you “Like” is public knowledge, it’s important now, more than ever, to stay social media savvy. Many businesses are blindly adopting social media practices, “making friends” and posting updates with no particular rhyme or reason. This approach may show some success in the short-term, but will have few, if any, long-term benefits. With some simple planning and a few useful programs, you can attract new customers, engage consumers like never before and grow not only your business, but also your brand.
Starting out, it is critical for businesses to formulate a social media plan. This plan should include, for starters, the types of updates the company would like to make (special sales events, article sharing, receiving customer feedback, etc.), the frequency in which the updates will be posted, who will be the page administrator, how responses will be tracked and if you would like to experiment with paid advertising. Once a decision has been made regarding these factors, the fun begins.
There is a common misperception that social media is time consuming and that you must constantly be tethered to a computer or smart phone. This is definitely not the case. Many companies have started to release social media “dashboards.” These dashboards allow you to manage all of your social media outlets from one simple interface. Two of the most popular dashboards, TweetDeck and HootSuite, offer free accounts that require only an email address to sign up. These programs make it incredibly easy to track the number of views your posts are receiving, schedule tweets/status updates for the day (week or even month), allow you to post to several social media networks with one simple click and even make it possible for you to assign certain tasks to other team members (this requires for each member to have their own login). TweetDeck is an actual downloadable program, while HootSuite can be accessed through any internet web browser.
Whenever you update your Facebook or Twitter page, don’t forget to have fun. The whole point of these sites is to connect with your customers and give your business/brand a personality. Also, try to not always be self-promoting, instead, educate your readers and become a resource for them. You want to make a lasting and memorable impression on your audience so they not only return to your page but also to your store.
One aspect of social media marketing that many businesses struggle with is gaining followers. Be sure to add Facebook/Twitter links to your email signature, website, business cards and the bottom of your store’s receipts. This is a simple way to get your social media presence in front of your audience and encourage them to interact with you. In addition, it’s important to give people a reason to follow you. Consider offering a special incentive or discount for your Twitter and Facebook followers. This could be anything from “Show this message on your smart phone and receive 10% off” or “The first person to mention this post, in store, receives a free $5 gift card.” These promotions offer an easy way to track responses and exposure from social media outlets.
Social media marketing is not a “fad” that’s going to fade away in a few years. As the world begins to rely more and more on technology, the use of social media networks and digital platforms will continue to increase. Many individuals access Facebook and Twitter from their mobile device, which is always on hand. By embracing these outlets now, you can ensure your business stays ahead of the curve and continues to thrive in a growing digital environment.