10 Super Simple Social Media Marketing Tips

10 Super Simple Social Media Marketing Tips

Because of its personal, relaxed nature, social media may seem like a marketing tactic that doesn’t require much strategizing to be successful. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, many businesses make the same mistakes over and over, and then wonder why their SMM isn’t producing the results they were hoping for. That said, here are 10 social media blunders to avoid making for your own organization.

Have a Plan

There’s a certain art and a science to successful SMM. It involves consistency, quality and timing. Most importantly, it involves establishing a plan with measurable goals. Just because it’s “social” doesn’t mean it’s that different than any other marketing initiative. To be successful, you need a strategy that sets specific objectives that can be tracked and measured.

Produce Content of Value.

Your customers and prospects have certain wants and needs. The most effective way to attract them and keep them coming back for more is to provide content that addresses those wants and needs. That’s also the best way to encourage social sharing, which will ultimately get you more brand exposure and increase your following.

Have a Consistent Brand Identity

If you want people to come to know and trust your brand, you have to provide them with the same experience regardless of where and how they interact with you. Whether it’s your Facebook page, your blog posts, your pins on Pinterest or your videos on Vimeo, your message and tone should be consistent across the board.

Keep it Simple

There seems to be a new social platform popping up almost daily. That doesn’t necessarily mean your business should be heavily involved in all of them. The key to successful SMM is determining which channels will provide the best access to your target audience and focusing your efforts there.

Focus On Quality Over Quantity

Sure, every company would love to have millions of fans and followers, but if that’s all you’re aiming for you’re probably missing the mark. Social media marketing is only valuable if it helps to grow your business. Having a huge following of people that aren’t likely to convert to customers or refer your brand to others won’t accomplish this like having a smaller group of highly targeted individuals and networks.

Produce Many Types of Content

The term content doesn’t (and shouldn’t) refer only to the written word. In fact, research shows that Facebook posts with images have a 37% higher rate of engagement than text alone. What’s more, 75% of consumers are more likely to visit a company’s website after viewing a video. If all you’re doing is writing and sharing blog posts, you’re seriously missing the mark and likely losing prospective customers as a result.

Engage With Your Fans and Followers.

Many businesses make the mistake of neglecting the “social” aspect of SMM. These platforms are where brands can connect with customers and prospects on a personal level – not just a way to market your products or services. To capitalize on this, you should be actively engaging with your fans and followers rather than focusing on marketing to them. Answer questions, participate in discussions and show people the personality behind your brand.

Make It Easy to Connect

To be successful on social channels, you need fans and followers. You won’t get them if you’re making it difficult or complicated for them to connect with you. Include social share buttons in all of your content and encourage people to join you wherever you’re most active by mentioning it in your email newsletters, on your website and anywhere else you come into contact with customers and prospects.

Tackle Negative Comments Head-On

These days, more and more people are taking to social media platforms to voice their opinions and share bad experiences they’ve had with a particular brand. Many businesses make the mistake of ignoring negative comments. By responding in a timely and positive manner and offering to correct the problem, not only will you improve the chances of retaining that one customer, but you’ll demonstrate to countless others that you’re listening and you care.

Measure Your Results

Like any marketing initiative, you have to check your SMM results from time to time to identify what’s working and what isn’t. If you simply set it and forget it, you could be wasting valuable time and money and not nearly reaching your potential.

With 33% of consumers citing social media platforms as their main source for learning about new brands, products and services (a number that’s likely to grow considerably), social media is undoubtedly one of the most powerful marketing tools for businesses today. By knowing what mistakes to avoid, you’ll have a much higher rate of success in attracting and retaining new customers and growing your business through SMM.