Social Media Marketing – Just The Basics

[col size="2"]

Sarah
Sarah is the Content Creation Expert at Sark eMedia.

Social media marketing involves using social media sites as part of your online marketing strategy. Social media sites include Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+ and other sites where people create profiles and interact with friends.

Social media platforms are often huge and they offer a great way to reach your target market, deliver your marketing message, and find out what your fans truly love. It’s powerful as a research tool and as a customer service tool, it’s not just  for  marketing. Remember no one goes onto a social site thinking I wonder what great offers are going to be selected for me today…

There are two popular ways to use social media sites in your marketing

One is to post content or links to content on your social media profile such as blog posts, pictures, videos or any other multimedia.

The other method is to place ads on social media sites using their ad networks. Yes, you don’t have to be a member of a social network to advertise on their site. That should come as a relief to businesses whose target market s on Facebook but don’t actually want to be there themselves. This isn’t the perfect solution but if you are active on other social media sites then it’s fine. Use the ad network to drive people to the places you are active.

What is Social Media Marketing Best Used for?

Any business whatsoever can benefit from social media marketing, especially local businesses. Geographic features on social media sites make it particularly easy for people in your area to find your profile through searches. I love this aspect of Twitter, I can easily search for local people to talk to and follow.

You can offer deals and promotions through your profile that are exclusive to your fans. Using social media profiles this way is similar to using your email list. You can increase their loyalty to your brand by offering exclusive bonuses and exclusive content, In Andy Sernowitz’s book Word of Mouth Marketing he talks about creating exclusive content just for fans. Social media is a brilliant way of stoking your word of mouth marketing activity (and I recommend the book highly).

The Advantages of Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing allows you to interact directly with your customers and potential customers. It adds a personal touch to online communications that’s unrivaled by other online marketing methods, when did you last feel welcome from a newspaper advertisement? When people feel like they can interact with you in a more direct way, it engenders loyalty and trust.

Using social media sites also allows you to reach a wider audience. You have access to not only your fans but your fans’ friends. On sites like Facebook, whenever your fans interact with you, their friends see that interaction as well and we are all curious about of friends likes and dislikes, so more people get to know your business.

Because your customers can contact you easily through social media sites, you can get valuable feedback and learn more about your target market. You can look at your fans’ profiles and find out what they’re interested in. This is the kind of data that marketing firms have paid huge sums of money for in years gone by.

You also get SEO benefits by using these popular social sites. When optimised correctly your social profiles appear in search results. Social media sites give you an existing platform that already has millions of users.

The Disadvantages of Social Media

To use social media effectively requires constant maintenance. For each page or profile that you make, you’ll need to set aside time for updating and interacting with your fans. For many small businesses, this quickly becomes a bit much to keep up with. Blatent plug, check out our social packages or give us a call. Blatent plug over.

Since your social media profile isn’t actually your own site, you have to abide by somebody else’s rules. There are certain actions that can get you penalised or banned from social media sites.  Don’t be a digital sharecropper.

Another drawback is that you don’t have total control of your content. If someone leaves a nasty comment or insult in your blog comments, you can delete it. You can’t do this on your Twitter feed. But before you break into a cold sweat, you can block people and you can respond politely to trolls – killing them with kindness is the only way. It’s hard, but it’s achievable.

How to Get the Most out of Social Media Marketing for your Business

It may sound like a lot of work monitoring your profiles, but it’s well worth it. Many businesses find that it’s a fun and enjoyable daily task.

Here’s how you can make social media marketing work for you:

• Although it may seem like a chore, sign up for each new social media site that pops up that may be appealing to your target market. You never know which might be the next Facebook.
• Focus on interactivity and engagement.
• Try to get your fans and followers engaged in your profile as much as possible.
• Use tools like widgets and plug-ins to make profile management easier and foster interactivity.
• Connect all of your social media sites by linking them together.
•  Include your website and blog as well.

The real key to success is to keep your involvement social. Don’t create your profile and content and then wait for the fans and comments to roll in. Be proactive. Get out there and make friends. Comment on other people’s profiles and join groups for increased visibility. This brands you as a friendly person with your own distinct personality that people will want to get to know better.

Note: We at Inc42 take our ethics very seriously. More information about it can be found here.