Social media marketing elevates your brand presence online. Every business needs a plan to utilize the digital environment.
Why? 3.8 Billion Active Social Media Users.
Why? 3.8 Billion Active Social Media Users.
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What is Social Media? |
Social Media is technology people use to connect and share information. Over 70% of social media users are likely to share content with their friends and 50% do this on a weekly basis. One in three consumers actively seeks out brands on social media. (Global Web Index)
Social Media Marketing (SMM) is the use of social networks to reach new customers, engage with existing customers, provide content, and promote a mission and vision. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn, provide the opportunity to listen, connect and engage with customers. With social media marketing, you can obtain the benefits of mass advertising at a very low cost.
Social Media Marketing (SMM) is the use of social networks to reach new customers, engage with existing customers, provide content, and promote a mission and vision. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn, provide the opportunity to listen, connect and engage with customers. With social media marketing, you can obtain the benefits of mass advertising at a very low cost.
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Why use Social Media for Marketing? |
Businesses can use social media to connect with their target market and grow their business.
- 97% of marketers believe social media marketing has helped to increase sales.
- 85% of consumers within the United States are regular social media users, with 58% of those using social media to connect with brands. (MarketingSherpa)
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The use of social media is no longer optional for marketers. Customers are online interacting on social channels with their friends, colleagues, and other brands looking for knowledge, entertainment, and recommendations. If your business does not provide for these customers you will likely lose them to your competition. |
Social Media Marketing Has Many Benefits
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Best Practices for Social Media Marketing
1. Research your audience and industry, then build a cohesive strategy. Inconsistent posting and advertising will not produce desired results. Putting the planning effort upfront will save you time and money in the future.
2. Do not oversell your product or service. Social media marketing is more about providing content and engaging with your audience. The general rule is 80% content, 20% selling.
3. Be present on social media and in your personal profiles and business pages. Keep your profiles optimized and up to date, responding to your audience quickly. For a social media strategy to work you need to constantly engage and be present online.
4. Create social listening resources to stay on top of trends and be willing to adjust as social media changes constantly.
5. Stay authentic to your brand. Create a brand voice and tone that you will stick to in your marketing. Do not over promise and be transparent.
2. Do not oversell your product or service. Social media marketing is more about providing content and engaging with your audience. The general rule is 80% content, 20% selling.
3. Be present on social media and in your personal profiles and business pages. Keep your profiles optimized and up to date, responding to your audience quickly. For a social media strategy to work you need to constantly engage and be present online.
4. Create social listening resources to stay on top of trends and be willing to adjust as social media changes constantly.
5. Stay authentic to your brand. Create a brand voice and tone that you will stick to in your marketing. Do not over promise and be transparent.
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In our journey on social media, the endgame always seems to be gathering attention. However, social media offers an even greater benefit of paying attentions and developing relationships. For small business owners, now is the time to get online and listen. Find out about your customers and what motivates them, the information they seek, and the struggles they encounter. You can learn ways to engage with customers by paying attention, then create a strategy to provide the information and knowledge they crave. |
The Social Prof
As a Professor of Marketing, keeping up on social media trends and best practices is my career. At first, social media marketing is not easy, takes time, and is overwhelming. I enjoy simplifying and guiding the creation of a social media strategy.
There are so many resources and platforms. Strategies keep coming at you with no real process or sense that you will ever be able to learn or accomplish much. I have witnessed the positive results from Social Media Marketing. I know it works! I continue to learn, share, and help others achieve success in applying the digital world to learn and use for marketing. |
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