JULY 2017 – Social Media and Marketing

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Use social media to enhance your marketing efforts

Social media can seem intimidating and at times, trying to maneuver through its best practices can be tricky, especially for smaller businesses balancing a variety of daily tasks, in addition to building a digital presence. But social media is quite possibly the most effective way to stay engaged with both current and prospective customers at very little cost.

Don’t have a full-time staff member dedicated to social media strategy? No problem. Even the smallest of businesses can create smart and strategic content goals as long as they’re realistic when it comes to their capabilities. It might not make sense for your business to have a presence on all of the social media platforms. It is better to maintain a presence on one or two platforms than a weak or no presence on several.

Identify Your Objectives It is important to define your objectives while making sure they’re attainable for your business model. Ask yourself, “Who am I trying to reach; what do I want to say; and how am I going to say it?” Once you start answering those questions, your goals and objectives will write themselves.

Create Purposeful Content The internet is massive, and new content is generated every second. How can you best stand out? Using engaging graphics and photographs can go a long way when creating new content. It is completely acceptable, and in most cases necessary, for your social content to reach beyond your business model and industry. Include statistics from the Inland Empire region, as well as industry news from other non-competing outlets. It will attract a wider audience and generate a greater reach, which is a win-win for your brand.

Consistency is Key Scheduling your social media posts may seem intimidating, but it is one of the most effective ways to save time and ensure consistency, especially for a small team with a busy schedule. Try to refrain from going too long without posting on any particular account.

Rules of thumb for posting on the most prominent social platforms:

  • Facebook: 2 – 3 times a week
  • Twitter: 8 – 22 times a week depending on your social strategy
  • LinkedIn: 1 – 3 times a week
  • Instagram: at least 1 time a weekDon’t be Afraid of Personality Every business has a different brand identity, so feel free to explore different social media personalities to fit that brand identity. Experiment with some appropriate humor, compelling graphics or enticing testimonials from your employees or customers. Social media can be professional without being boring. The most important question: How can you best ensure that content reflects your organization and engages its target audiences?B2B is Just as Important as B2C It’s important to engage with clients on social media, but it is equally important to engage with other businesses as well. Not only does it open up your brand to an entirely new audience, but it also gives you an opportunity to establish a relationship with other business leaders in the community.
  • With a few simple key strokes you can be a part of the social media marketing family, and there is no time like the present to begin.
  • Be Your Own Best Friend Find ways to share your own content, whether it be through a blog post or press release. Your social media channels are free publicity for your brand and your business, and it is best to utilize those opportunities whenever possible. Don’t be afraid to drive traffic to your website.
  • These recommendations all depend on your social strategy, but it always helps to have a baseline.