A key to any effective online marketing campaign is the proper use of social media networks. Social media can be a huge boon for your company and help generate trackable word of mouth advertising. As important as this element is, however, if your social media strategy is implemented incorrectly you can actually do more harm than good.
Consumers are a perceptive and astute group and have more control than ever. Participation in online forums, communities and writing reviews are great avenues of getting the word out about your company, service or product. However, as soon as a particular company realizes you are just there to promote your services, you'll be attacked and exiled quite abruptly and often brutally. Communities are protective of their space and it's crucial to respect their rules and guidelines.
If you're taking the time to build social media relationships, you might as well make sure you're maximizing your efforts. Keep the following rules of social media etiquette in mind when you're getting ready to get your presence known.
Be Yourself
Always be you. Don't get tempted to post fake reviews, comments or posts. The average consumer can sniff these "fake" comments out a mile away. Your efforts will much better rewarded by cultivating real relationships and then pointing out places they can get the word out about your company.
Disclose Your Intentions
When you post in a community, always post as yourself and make it clear you represent a company or product. Don't try to pass yourself off as another person recommending the product. Take the time to read other posts in the community and see where you can knowledgeably help or offer real advice. Your opinion will hold much more weight in this type of atmosphere as a possible expert in the industry or genre.
Offer Real Communication
You've created an amazing product or service and you're excited about your new marketing campaign. With all that enthusiasm, it's tempting to get straight to your marketing message in your media marketing avenues. If you do this, you're missing a golden opportunity to build real word of mouth staying power. No one wants to fan a Facebook page if they're going to be bombarded by sales offers everyday. As great as the offers may be, it's important to realize you're invading their personal time. To be included as a permanent fixture in their personal browsing means offering them something they will value. Sometimes it might be a funny comic you ran across, other times it may be a motivational YouTube video. Take the time to learn what your customer wants to read or see and you'll garner a loyal following.
Don't Repeat the Same Messages In Multiple Locations
If you're visiting a number of different communities, don't be broken record. Customers don't just visit one website. Eventually they'll find you in other locations and realize what you're doing. Be real and a true participant to the communities you are involved in. Your efforts will be well rewarded.
Be Pleasant
Last, but certainly not least, be a friendly, pleasant contributor to the online world. Not only is your reputation on the line, but it makes your words something people look forward to reading. When you're take your company to open forums such as Facebook and Twitter, you need to be ready for the possibility you're going to hear something negative about your company or even you personally. Use these moments as opportunities to fix a possible problem area and show the online world that you're big enough to admit when something's wrong and responsible enough to do something about it.
Ready to see how social media marketing can help your business? Schedule a free consultation here!
Subscribe to this comment's feed
