Over the years, social media marketing has earned quite a following.
Taking into account all the incomparable benefits it offers, the popularity social media marketing is currently enjoying is actually just a matter of time and not really surprising.
While once perceived as a fleeting marketing trend, social media marketing has proven to be anything but.
Nowadays, a staggering 70 percent of companies have a dedicated social media team or has assigned at least a person to man their social media marketing efforts.
However, while highly popular, at least 88 percent of businesses are quick to admit they still have a lot to learn in terms of social media tactics and strategies (i.e. increasing brand awareness and engaging target audience, among other things).
For companies who want to successfully navigate the exciting yet tricky world of social media marketing and get maximum exposure for their products or services, the following tips would prove highly beneficial:
Be active in more social networks.
Sure, Facebook is still considered the most dominant force among the current social media platforms.
However, while chosen by many as the primary arena for their social marketing efforts, it should not be made as the sole social playing ground.
Apart from Facebook and Twitter, it is reassuring to know there are other social media networks slowly gaining ground in the social media realm.
For instance, Google+ has been enjoying tremendous traction, boasting of a staggering 343 million active users and counting!
Other social networks that are gradually gaining ground include Vine, Snapchat, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Create content tailored for the particular platform you are using.
Many digital marketers (and business owners) commit the mistake of posting the same content across all social networks they are active in.
This is not ideal as it would keep you from delivering the kind of unique user experience social media users expect from each platform.
Keep in mind that each social network has been designed to focus on a specific social user category and demographic so sharing the same content across all social media platforms will prove counterproductive.
Case in point: users who are active in Instagram and Pinterest are most likely more interested in images and graphics that are of high quality.
In essence, one of the keys to social media marketing success is creating and sharing bespoke content for each social media platform you are active in.
Focus on telling a story as opposed to just selling.
Social media is a digital marketing tool, yes.
However, it should not be used as an excuse to shamelessly shove your products or services in the face of your followers.
As a general rule of thumb, be subtle about it.
Rather than directly offer your products or services, captivate them through amazing stories and other beneficial and interesting features.
This strategy will entail patience, however, once you have captured the interest of your prospects, they’ll eventually take notice and check out what you have to offer.
This is the part where the revenues will start to roll in.
Make social listening an integral part of your social media marketing efforts.
To help ensure your success in the social media marketing world, consider it imperative to practice social listening.
In other words, you should be aware of the key topics, keywords, issues, etc. your targeted audience are talking about so you can provide relevant and current content that address whatever it is that they are currently interested in.
Thankfully, there are numerous listening software and social analytical tools available at your disposal.
From the data you have gathered, you will get insights that will help ensure your social media marketing campaign becomes a resounding success.