It seems that everyone today is connected to some form of social media. While the most common social media sites are still Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter, other options including Pinterest, Instagram, Google Plus+, Tumblr, and Flikr continue to be spaces to watch. Using social media marketing for business is not only a good idea, it should be an important way to reach out to and expand your existing customer base.
Many people that try to manage their own social media marketing for business make common mistakes that are usually a result of simply not understanding how the social media marketing should connect with your target audience. If you are not using a company that specializes in social media marketing for business then you may be making the following blunders.
Passive Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing for business is not a passive marketing tool. You have to be active and interacting with your target audience in order to have positive results. It is not just about putting up a Facebook page or creating a LinkedIn or Twitter profile and account, it is a about activity been seen as an expert or a recognized brand.
Hard Sell
Sometimes social media marketing for business campaigns become nothing more than short hard sale messages delivered to customers. While there is nothing wrong with marketing your services and promoting your brand, constantly bombarding followers and fans of your social media sites with sales messages is going to be a problem. Not only will they not repost or forward those messages but they are also likely to disconnect from you and your brand.
Nothing in it for Me
This, in some ways, goes along with the previous two mistakes that are made when companies attempt their own social media marketing for business programs. You have to provide something of value to your followers for them to continue to support your social media program. This may be coupons, discounts, contests, special sale items or other incentives that not only encourage your current followers to use your products but that reward them for getting others involved in your business.
Using a company that specializes in designing, planning, implementing and monitoring social media marketing for business is a simple way to avoid these common mistakes. It will also increase traffic, increase your visibility, and increase your potential for creating new customers.
