Mark Wilson

So what’s the big deal? Still think Social Media is just a fad? I would take another real hard look, because your competitors might be capitalizing on these free tools while you’re sitting there in the past… and eventually history.

Here are 5 tips to improving your Social Media presence for the New Year.

Stock up on those Vanity URLs
The first thing you need to do is claim your name on all of the social media platforms you plan on using. The more links you have routing back to your company page, the higher you rank with Google and other search engines. By setting up your company with each Social Media platform, you’re both improving your organic search relevance on Google and boosting online presence!
A word of caution to some – don’t start a social media platform you don’t plan to manage, because this will do more harm than good. Social Media is something that needs moderate time dedication, but can offer great returns.

Have a Plan
This one seems extremely simple, but many overlook it.
Identify your company goals. What are you looking to gain out of launching Social Media? More web presence, more sales, more customer interaction, etc. By knowing what you want to achieve with your new SM launch, you’ll be better suited measure results each month/year. Better to set goals by month, which will help you stay accountable to managing your progress towards the outlined objetives, rather than doing a ‘once a year’ update.

Measure, Measure…er… Measure!
So you’re live, you’ve set objectives, but how do you plan on measuring these objectives?
There are many applications present online that you can use to help measure your social media goals.
For example, HootSuite will allow you to monitor click rates, your online influence (klout), and various other aspects around your social media platform. Even more advanced, Google Analytics (which is FASCINATING by the way) allows you to see where traffic is coming from (ie. from Facebook, Google, etc.), how many people are purchasing, how long people spend on your website, and TONS of other detailed calculations. Both of these tools are free (unless you upgrade to the HootSuite Pro edition) and provide tons of information regarding your online presence.
Measuring success will allow you to make adjustments to your online tools to ensure you are maximizing your online potential.
 Having said that, not everything needs to be measured. Social Media has taken on a similar role at the Telephone once did. It’s not just a marketing tool, but also a communication tool to reach out and listen to your customers. We never cut telephones, so why would we cut Social Media? This is a free tool companies NEED to be using to listen and interact with their consumers.

Outsourcing
Not everyone has the skills required to manage and implement a successful social media campaign. Did you know that only 20% of your messages online should be company promotion? And the other 80% shouldn’t be advertising products, but somehow giving back to your online viewers. Most people should be shaking their heads no, because most companies promote, promote, promote, when they should be interacting and listening.
This is where outsourcing comes in hand. By consulting with a professional, you can build a more successful social media campaign with clear goals. If you really need to, you could even outsource the whole thing to a professional. The problem here is that you lose control of your message and your viewers might notice.
Be cautious with outsourcing, but seek professional advice if you don’t know how to successfully implement a social media campaign.

Advertise your Online Tools
Sending out free swag? Throw a Facebook logo on there and tell people to catch up with you online. You can incorporate your social media campaign with your traditional marketing, which will help build a stronger and more integrated marketing plan. Let people know you’re online, promote your online presence, build your online brand.

That’s should get you started!
In a world gone digital and moving more and more mobile, you’re going to want to get on this bandwagon fast, before it leaves you behind in the dust.

If you’re interested in assistance with your Social Media and Marketing campaign, feel free to contact me at mark.james.wilson@hotmail.com and we can discuss further opportunities.

M

Sources

Edmonds, K. (2011, 10 28). Hootsuite. (M. Wilson, Interviewer)

Facebook. (2012). Facebook. Retrieved 02 08, 2012, from Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/

West, A. (2011, 12 28). Five Tips for your 2012 Social Media Strategy. Retrieved 02 08, 2012, from PC World: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/246757/five_tips_for_your_2012_social_media_strategy.html