Twitter, Facebook, YouTube…oh my!
So many social media sites to keep up with. How do you keep up with them up all? To be honest, I don’t! I use a few sites – Twitter and Facebook – and don’t worry about the rest of them. It’s time consuming, distracting and over whelming if you try to be a part of them all.
Here are 6 tips to help you make the most out of your social media efforts:
1. Learn how to use all the features. There are many different features to each social media site you’re working with. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all the different features available. For example, to better focus on the core people that are interacting with your brand online, use the demographic information.
2. Stop worrying about the numbers. There is no value in having thousands of followers that ignore what you post! It might look impressive to have hundreds of thousands of people in your network, but to succeed at social media marketing you need to focus on those people who are actually interested in your brand.
3. Set goals. Just like with anything you do online you need to have a purpose for your social media as well so create some goals! Once you’ve set them be sure map out a plan on how you will reach them.
4. Portray yourself as the expert you are! Remember, while social media is to socialize, have fun and make personal connections with people you must still portray yourself as the expert you are! You need to write like it and act like it. Be careful what you say and do (yes that includes being careful of what types of pictures you post as well!)
5. Social media should be used to build relationships and show your expertise not just selling! There needs to be a balance when it comes to selling using social media. No one likes to see a Twitter profile that is nothing but link after link to their services/products. I personally won’t even follow someone back if I look at their profile and see nothing but links! Make sure that a majority of what you do on Twitter & Facebook (and any other social media sites you may use) is personal and interacting with your followers/readers/friends.
6. Don’t forget the negative! There are negatives in social media; make a plan to address them and don’t fear them. Everyone has a customer now and then that is impossible to please, online or off. Don’t let them derail your goals.
Your customers want access to interact with you and your company, and using social media sites gives them what they want. Just be sure to utilize the sites wisely and faithfully.
P.S. I would love to connect with you so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook 🙂