Tuesday, August 09, 2011, 2:17:19 PM
How to Set Up a Rock-Solid Social Media Program
Thursday, June 16, 2011, 2:16:01 PM | Anna Harper-Hess
Social media sites allow us to connect quickly and stay connected to people and brands faster than ever before, which means we form closer relationships and have quick access to new people and opportunities. While most small businesses know it’s important to use social media, they often don’t know how to outline an effective strategy. Here are some tips on setting up a rock-solid social media program.
1. Don’t sign up for every social site out there. Instead, determine which sites make the most sense for your business. Research what sites your competitors and target demographic use. If you live in a small town, it’s likely that Twitter won’t be the best network for you, but Facebook or a site like Manta might work best.
2. Formulate a plan of attack. Outline what you hope to achieve, how the program will impact your overall company goals, and how much time you have to devote to this type of marketing. Make sure your social media efforts are integrated with the other marketing and advertising programs your business is using.
3. Set up business goals and a way to measure these goals so you can track your success. Use Google Analytics, coupon codes, and built-in tools like Manta’s Insights to see how well your program is doing. Make sure to measure engagement by the number of comments, likes, and connections you achieve. The more engaged an audience you have, the more likely they are to purchase from you.
4. Make time for social media. Social media is not something you can set-up and walk away; you have to invest time in order to see rewards. It’s important to engage with your users on a regular basis and to be consistent with your interactions. The more you do this, the more likely you are to sell your products & services.
With a strategy in place, social media marketing can be an awesome way to achieve your business goals. If you are a small business who has seen success using social media, leave us a comment and give us your best tip for business owners just getting started.
1. Don’t sign up for every social site out there. Instead, determine which sites make the most sense for your business. Research what sites your competitors and target demographic use. If you live in a small town, it’s likely that Twitter won’t be the best network for you, but Facebook or a site like Manta might work best.
2. Formulate a plan of attack. Outline what you hope to achieve, how the program will impact your overall company goals, and how much time you have to devote to this type of marketing. Make sure your social media efforts are integrated with the other marketing and advertising programs your business is using.
3. Set up business goals and a way to measure these goals so you can track your success. Use Google Analytics, coupon codes, and built-in tools like Manta’s Insights to see how well your program is doing. Make sure to measure engagement by the number of comments, likes, and connections you achieve. The more engaged an audience you have, the more likely they are to purchase from you.
4. Make time for social media. Social media is not something you can set-up and walk away; you have to invest time in order to see rewards. It’s important to engage with your users on a regular basis and to be consistent with your interactions. The more you do this, the more likely you are to sell your products & services.
With a strategy in place, social media marketing can be an awesome way to achieve your business goals. If you are a small business who has seen success using social media, leave us a comment and give us your best tip for business owners just getting started.
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