Social Media 101

If you have not used social media to market your business or you are using it but not getting the results you want, then the tips below can help to create an effective social media marketing strategy. Sustaining a strong social media presence can be one of the most effective ways to market your business. Unlike other forms of marketing, social media marketing is free and allows personal interactions between businesses and customers. However, social media does require extensive planning and attention to maintain an influential presence online.

1.     Set Goals

When beginning a new marketing strategy it is important to ask yourself what results you want for your business. Do you want more customers? More brand awareness? Or testimonials from your current customers? Once you decide on your goals, you will have a better idea of how to approach your social media marketing strategy.

2.     Designate Your Target Audience

How can you market any product or service if you don’t know who you are marketing to? Before creating a social media strategy, you need to decide what type of person you are marketing to (age, gender, location, income, lifestyle). This will help you create content relevant to your audience, as well as deciding what social media networks your business should choose to market with. If you are marketing to adults in their forties or fifties chances are they aren’t on social networks such as Instagram or Vine. More likely Facebook and Twitter, who have an older audience base, is the type of network best for your social media marketing strategy.

3.     Develop a Persona for Each Social Media Profile

It is important to diversify your social media strategy among multiple social media networks to increase results. However, just simply posting content on each profile will not get the results you want. Each profile must have a persona that will capture audience’s attention. For example, if a profile simply has a block of text posted, users are unlikely to take the time to read it. If a relevant picture that grabs the audience’s attention is posted with the text, then it is more likely to be shared and increase the number of “likes” or “retweets.”
(Not sure about the latest slang or terminology for Facebook and Twitter? Check out our Facebook and Twitter Urban Dictionary posts for a better understanding of the latest terminology and features.)

4.     Use Analytic Tools to Determine What Works Best

Using analytic tools to see what posts capture the audience’s attention the most will help your social media strategy grow and develop. If the results aren’t what you wanted than reevaluate your content to better match your target audience’s interests.

Successful social media campaigns do not happen overnight, and it is important to keep revisiting your strategy and content to see what works. Please post below how you’re using social media for your business!