According to wikipedia Social Media is an umbrella term that defines the various activities that integrate technology, social interaction and the construction of words, pictures, videos and audio.
Or, you could just summon it up without the technical jargon and what do you get?
Social media is people having conversations online. No wasn't that easier to say?
If it still doesn't make any sense, then make sure you watch the video below ...
Online conversations are mostly powered by the following:
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The mechanics to support with a marketing strategy may vary from company to company due to resources and allocated time to invest in social marketing. Outsourcing can be of great help to companies.
Business owners can focus on their day-to-day business while social media experts are having a watchful eye on the business' social media strategy. However, companies should be careful when injecting their 'corporate messages' into these communities.
Consumers on these channels are actually looking for something other than a company's sales pitch. These consumers prefer to receive trusted third party information from their online communities. People turn to online communities/social networks for 'true' information about products and services.
So whenever you engage with these consumers make sure to have answers to the below questions:
- Who is your targeted audience? Who do you wish to talk to?
- Where would you find your consumers? Which channel are they using?
- What are they talking about already? Except your brand!
- Will it be appropriate to join the conversation. Better yet, WHEN?
- How to inject usefulness into the conversation without being overly promotional?
- What value can we provide in terms of knowledge, opinion or content?
- How can you earn the consumers' trust?
- If you do earn their trust, how would you go about asking for their input into your product/service?
- When would be the perfect time to move the conversation towards your desired goal? Your product of course!
- If you do step over the line, what strategy would you follow to regain their trust?
Social Media Marketing Strategy For Beginners
Below is a list of things to consider when creating a social media plan for your business:
- Listen: implement at least one listening platform. Learn to listen
- Engage: build a starting place to hold your conversations. And by this, I mean a blogging platform
- Methods: Build a workflow around the content you intend to create and publish on the desired channel(s)
- Community: How will you embrace consumers to gather around your products/services? What would you do to create a buzz about your brand?
- Neighbors: Engage with your local community. Share ideas and give comment when needed
- Outposts: Engage with other social communities and share the way back to your own platform
- Marketplace: If making money is part of your marketing plan build a marketplace for this. Make sure this is done separately from your online community.
- Attention: Learn how to build and establish brand awareness and encourage relationships with the media you're making
