There is no denying the power of social media and the influence it has on brand recognition.
In fact, you yourself can probably recall the last time you visited a restaurant or business and then left a review (good or bad) on Yelp or TripAdvisor. Today, social media is the new “word of mouth.”
We are constantly commenting about products and services on social media – with every recommendation, share and advice we post – so it’s no wonder why brands put big bucks into social media marketing.
Social media marketing goes well beyond posting about your business services on Facebook, Twitter and other social feeds like ConnectPal. The trick is you’ve got to give your audience something of value and something that creates authentic engagement.
Here are a few guidelines to follow.
Educate your audience:
If you want to bring value and authenticity to your social media pages, then you need to educate your audience. For instance, if you own a dental practice, focus on the action that your brand is best suited for, and then build content around it. Here, the content should go well beyond promoting your services, and focus more about educating people on oral health. You could post about the latest technology in dentistry or why it’s so important to floss two times a day. If you present yourself as an expert in your field, you will be viewed as a trustworthy source and your audience will take notice.
Join niche websites:
Industries like healthcare or education, among others, have industry-specific websites designed specifically for the audiences these brands are trying to market.
People visit industry-specific sites because they have an immediate need or interest they are trying to satisfy. If you are looking for a trustworthy plumber to fix a leaky faucet, you’d visit a site like Angie’s List. If you’re a handyman, then you’ll want to make sure your business is listed on an appropriate site where customers can find you and read reviews about your services.
In this case, you may also want to direct clients who find you on niche sites to your Facebook, ConnectPal or YouTube page so they can gather more information about you and what you can offer. ConnectPal is similar to other social pages except that businesses and brands have the opportunity to earn money from this platform. So, if you’re an expert in your field and wish to share it with an audience, you may consider creating an account on ConnectPal.
Don’t neglect traditional marketing:
While social media marketing is definitely an effective form of marketing, don’t neglect the old fashioned way of getting your brand out there – traditional marketing. Whether it’s the chance to be featured on the local news, write a guest blog on a popular website, or do an interview with a magazine, it’s a good chance that you will increase your followers by getting your name and your brand out there.
Social media marketing is the new word of mouth in the world of advertising, but you’ve got to ensure that it’s working together with your offline strategy – not going in two different directions.