Article

Dipti Parmar
Dipti Parmar 21 February 2014
Categories Social Media

A Baker's Dozen: 13 Social Media Marketing Tips

Is there anyone reading this who does not believe their business could benefit from better use of social media platforms? Hands? No one? Okay! I think we all understand the value of social media in promoting a business. Whether you are CBAC Funding, in the obscure invoice financing industry, or Coca Cola in the high profile soft drink industry, any business can enhance its marketing efforts through the innovative and appropriate use of social media platforms.

Is there anyone reading this who does not believe their business could benefit from better use of social media platforms? Hands? No one? Okay! I think we all understand the value of social media in promoting a business. Whether you are CBAC Funding, in the obscure invoice financing industry, or Coca Cola in the high profile soft drink industry, any business can enhance its marketing efforts through the innovative and appropriate use of social media platforms.

Lead Generation

A top-of-mind concern for many businesses is lead generation.  Using social media platforms is an excellent means to accomplish this end. Here are tips for four popular platforms.

1.) Google+ Hangouts on Air

According to an October, 2013 Associated Press article, Google+ has achieved 540 million users, although placing it in a distant second place from reigning champion Facebook, it is nonetheless, this is an impressive number.  Google+ is well worth your attention.
 
Google+ sports a feature which allows you to broadcast live voice and video directly to your audience. It is called Hangouts on Air and sponsoring this hangout is very much akin to a sponsoring a focus group. The feature has unique potential and should be considered as another tool in your belt for generating leads.

2.) Twitter

Twitter offers the possibility of hosted chats identified by unique hash tags allowing other users to participate in the conversation even through changing topics. These conversations lend themselves to lead generation.

Lead generation can be accomplished by joining conversations that relate to your business or by initiating your own. Twitter maintains a library of existing chat topics and you can browse the list for appropriate conversations to enter.

Twitter boasts 232 million users and is the third largest social media platform by active users. However, these numbers should be your secondary concern. Your primary concern must be that you are reaching an audience with potential interest in your product or service.

Follow individuals that present as potential customers and be alert to any conversations they engage in which may relate to your business. When the time is right, direct message individuals you believe will benefit from your product or services.

3.) LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the third largest social media platform with 259 million devotees. In addition to having an inherent business orientation with a largely professional subscriber base it affords the option to create your own LinkedIn discussion group or join an existing group. These may be found by browsing the group directory.

By identifying members who routinely ask questions relating to your product or service or who frequently seem to be seeking help, you can qualify them as a lead by using the reply privately feature.

Using this feature allows you to provide an in-depth answer to questions and show-off your expertise, yet doesn’t risk alienating you from the group because you are dominating the conversation.

4.) Facebook

Last, but hardly least, is Facebook with a jaw-dropping 1.19 billion users. Worth noting is the fact that of this number, 75% are outside the United States.

Facebook advertising can meet many of your goals, including lead generation. One of the best methods is via a news feed to your targeted audience. Facebook is of limited value in terms of direct marketing, but it is an excellent medium for building trust through quality content.

By using a sign-up form that must be completed to gain access to your Facebook content (email address, zip code, etc.) you can begin to see who is actually interested in your content and tailor it accordingly.  This, in concert with promoted posts, will help you generate meaningful leads.

9 More Quick Tips

LinkedIn tags can be a great tool for keeping your business relevant to your contacts. Assuming you have tagged your LinkedIn connections, you have the ability to sort them by these tags and then send a message to as many as 25 connections at a time. You can repeat this as necessary to reach all targeted connections.

Research your competitors’ content. Knowing what is popular with your competition’s audience can help you form a direction for your own.

Using YouTube? Have you looked at your nails lately? I’m talking about thumbnails of course. An often overlooked problem with many YouTube uploads is a drab, lifeless, thumbnail. Improve your graphics, composition, colors and text and you will see improvements in views overnight.

Less is more when it comes to social media platforms. Managing them properly takes time and focus. It isn’t about quantity it is about quality. Stick with three or four platforms that offer the best opportunities for your message…no more.

Social media platforms often offer search platforms. Learning to use them effectively can expand your ability to reach the right audience.

Smartphone and tablet users are your future market. Keep this top-of-mind in any website, blog, of social media content you create. Make certain of its compatibility with these devices. You want those persons accessing your content to enjoy a user experience that equals the desk or laptop user’s experience.

Visuals, be it a photo or video, help drive traffic and make your message stick. Use them whenever possible. Sixty-five percent of us are visual learners … get it?

Employees have a stake in your business too. Involve your employees in advocating for your business.

Join the real world from time to time. Attending live events gives you face-time with real people who share your interests and goals. These interactions build valuable relationships and refresh your social media perspectives.

So there it is; your baker’s dozen. I hope you have found something helpful her to promote your enterprise!

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