You know it’s a important ingredient in modern marketing. You’ve set up your Facebook page, started a Twitter account, and maybe posted a few photo albums on Flick’r. You may have even started Plaxo, Linked In, or others, just to make sure you didn’t miss anything. But now what? Beyond updating posts and requesting/accepting friend requests, what do you need to do?
Things not to forget:
1. DISCUSS & SHARE
a. Focus on what people come here for. The share and discuss their interests. Social Media is different then any of your other marketing or advertising mediums. You can’t apply the tactics you use elsewhere here. People are here for conversation.
2. BE “GIVING”
a. Think “Give.” Give information, give discounts, give links to additional products, host events to give more.
3. SYNC IT
a. Sync FB with Twitter, Plaxo, Linked In, and Flick’r. Among other social sites, you can sync them all so you can manage ONE. This way you are not only getting to your FB “friends,” but to everyone following you at the same time.
4. Update, Update, Update
a. Keep updating. The more active you are, the more visitors and customers you will attract. Keep engaging the visitor & customer by coming up with enticing conversation.
b. Make sure its not always about “your company.” Remember that people come here to discuss you personally. Even though everyone is aware that Social Media is a great marketing tool for businesses, they do not want to be constantly marketed to, or constantly given discounts or advertisements like a T.V. ad or a telemarketer. They want something REAL. The “real” part has to come from you.
5. LISTEN TO YOUR VISITORS
a. Respond to comments & questions in a timely manner. If you walk in to someone’s business and the person behind the counter ignores you, you would leave right? Same goes for your social sites. Don’t ignore your potential customers.
b. Ask them what they want. Give them what they want. Need I add to that?
c. Participate in your visitors activities and comment on their comments and complaints. Give suggestions and links that may be helpful to them. Build trust.
d. Use Applications wisely. Find Applications that compliment your business and link your customers to them.
6. SHARE A LOT
a. Like mentioned before, sharing and discussing are most important. Write a blog. Sync your blog site with your social sites.
b. SHARE YOUR WEBSITE. A LOT.
Things NOT to do:
1. DON’T JUST TALK ABOUT YOURSELF
a. Customers will loose interest in your page if all you do is advertise yourself. They are here mostly for conversation. Engage it.
2. DON’T INGNORE CRITISISM
a. Embrace it. Listen to what people say about your brand or services. Take it as an opportunity and try to solve related issues.
3. DON’T FORGET TO BE CONSISTENT
a. Don’t contradict yourself. Make sure the message is always the same.
4. DON’T WRITE A BOOK
a. Don’t give all the information about your business on your page. Leave something up for questions. You want people to ask you things. If all the information is there, then there is no need for them to engage conversation with you. Keep to short summaries.
5. DON’T BE A FOLLOWER
a. Don’t include new ideas to your pages because your competitor is doing it. Individuality counts for A LOT with social media. The competitor may have found an edge. Find a different one or veer off of that good idea and create your own.
REMEMBER:
Listen, Talk, Energize, Embrace, Support.
