Many of my clients ask me why they should use social media.
It's one of the most common questions I get. They used it and it didn't work for them, they don't see the need, or their customers are not using social media.
Lets address the first issue... " I tried Social Media and it didn't work for me
Well immediately I have to ask what was your strategy and how long and diligently did you work at that strategy? It's like the guy who never played a sport and doesn't workout; he buys a gym membership only going once a week, barely breaking a sweat without a trainer... does he really expect results from that effort? Would he then turn around and say... "Gym memberships don't work, I had one for a 3 months and got NO results? I think it would be a safe bet to say that the "Social Media didn't work" person didn't employ a trainer nor did he or she get their butt to the gym 4-5 days a week. You can't expect results if you don't have clear goals, don't know what your doing, and you don't put in the work.
Social media opens the door for people to talk to you and interact with your brand. They may not want to email or call your company. Who knows how long it will take from them to get a response via email, and who wants to call and have to listen to recorded prompts or be sent to 5 different extensions to hopefully one day get in touch with the right person. In this digital NOW NOW NOW society, people want timely answer and they feel more comfortable interacting with your brand the same way they interact with their friends... through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. So why not take advantage of the arenas where people already are? Isn't that what marketing is? Finding where your target market is, then have your brand interact with that target market? So lets start with what a Social Media plan is NOT.
A social media strategy is not posting 10 times for your clothing store about your sale:
20% OFF you entire purchase TODAY
20% OFF your entire purchase TODAY
20% OFF you entire purchase TODAY
20% OFF your entire purchase TODAY
20% OFF you entire purchase TODAY
20% OFF your entire purchase TODAY
Do you see how annoying that is? Bombarding your friends or followers with promotional messages all day is not a social media strategy... Its' spamming, and if you keep spamming you won't keep those friends or followers for long. A sound social media plan is however, engaging in conversations and adding value to those conversations. Engaging in conversations are prime opportunities for your brand to present itself as an industry leader thought inspiring problem solver. Gaining the trust and respect of your current and potential customers will keep them coming back; relying on your brand when they need what they're looking for. Go to LinkedIn and join groups that are related to your industry, take an active role in the conversations. Login to Facebook and Twitter, follow and LISTEN to the industry leader and add value to their post through commenting.
