Social networking has become a valuable part of most businesses today, and with the overwhelming adoption of sites like Facebook (over 500 million users) it's easy to see why companies don't want to pass up such a large, tech-savvy market. Along the way, however, you need to be smart about the way you use social marketing for your business, because just like in the real world, a first impression is hard to overcome. Here's some do's and don't's for anyone starting out their business in the social arena.
Don't Scattershot Your Message
Sure, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of social networks out there, but there's really only two you need to worry about (Facebook and Twitter). While it may be tempting to use tools that will just shotgun blast your posts out to a bunch of networks, understand that each network has different nuances and people learn quickly to tune you out if you're not engaging on the platform they're following you on.
Do Collaborate
It may seem like cheating, but there are some great tools that allow shared usage of a Facebook or Twitter account. This way multiple people can be posting and you can also schedule your posts to release at a certain day and time. This is a crucial part of a good social marketing campaign, so make sure that you plan at least a few days worth of posts ahead of time, and then when news breaks, feel free to interject it into the stream.
Don't Use Social Media For Advertising
The amount of 'spammers' on social networking sites is out of control, and people are keenly aware of the problem. If you begin posting 'spammy' sounding posts, people will be quick to ignore you.
Do Engage Your Customers
When someone asks you a question via the network, answer promptly and personably. Don't fire off a press release, but rather answer them as you would if someone walked into the store and asked you the same question. Another successful strategy is to have special deals that only go out in the feeds like 'buy one get one free from 12-2 today'. Deals like this will make your followers feel like they're part of a unique club and that they'll never miss out on a good deal.
Don't Hire A Social Media Expert
A lot of 'experts' will try to convince you that you need to hire them to run your social media campaign. More often than not, these are young people with some Twitter and Facebook experience, and not exactly great marketers. These tools are very easy to use, so unless you're a large corporation with a PR department, don't waste your time and money on an expert.
Do Learn As Much As You Can
There is a bit of a learning curve to get up and running, however, but it's nothing that you can't teach yourself with a little googling and a little time spent on the sites. The actual usage of the site (like Twitter for example) involved nothing more than signing up and writing your first post, but searching online for proper etiquette is a great way to get a head start. Ultimately, however, there's no "right" or "wrong" way to do it, so experiment and find the voice for your posts that works best for you and your company.
Mon, 04/2/2012 - 01:56 AM | viewed 422 times
In February, 2012, Facebook held its 'fMC Conference' which introduced upcoming features and changes to the site, including Timeline for Pages. All of these changes impact the way an entrepreneur or smb can best utilize their Facebook presence to increase traffic, interact with fans, and ultimately, convert these fans into customers. Here we'll take a closer look at the changes to Facebook, how you can use the new features to your advantage as part of your business plan, and some helpful tips on creating a successful Facebook promotion.
Sat, 03/10/2012 - 05:35 PM | viewed 492 times
In the initial stages of a business startup, most entrepreneurs recognize that they'll need the expertise of an accountant at various times, but few realize that they'll no doubt need the help of another professional, an attorney. Their logic would be that they don't plan on breaking the law or getting sued, so legal services aren't necessary. The truth is quite the contrary, however.
Sun, 03/4/2012 - 01:54 PM | viewed 531 times
Now that you've developed a great startup concept, and you're in the business plan development stage, the time has arrived to come up with the right name for your new endeavor. There are a number of differing theories on what makes a great business name, but one thing is certain, choosing the right name can play a big part in how your business is perceived by your customers, and it can make or break your image.
Sat, 03/3/2012 - 12:55 PM | viewed 411 times
On average, roughly 600,000 Americans start new businesses each year. If you're one of the millions more contemplating taking that giant step into business ownership, don't let fear of the unknown stop you. Some of the stumbling blocks for would-be entrepreneurs include indecision about the right kind of business, a fear of putting their money and time into a business that fails, or they may simply have no idea where to start. Generating an idea for a small business isn't always easy, but with some good advice and common sense, you can learn how to choose a viable concept.
Thu, 03/1/2012 - 12:16 PM | viewed 617 times
If you're a small business owner or an entrepreneur involved in your first startup, you're well aware of the impact that successful Facebook marketing can have on your bottom line. Finding your way through the maze of available apps and tools is time-consuming, tedious work. If you're on the hunt for the latest and greatest ways to reach a larger audience and build your business, check out our recommended Facebook tools and apps that are specifically geared toward taking full advantage of your fan page.
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