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Whats in a Tweet ?
Like it or not Social Media is changing the way in which people interact with each other. There have never been as many tools at your disposal to raise brand awareness and generate new business. Given that most of these tools are free, a very real opportunity exists to open up extended channels of communication with your target audience. Here are our top tips to help your establish a social media presence.
1. The golden rule – Don’t just do social networking for the sake of social networking: To effectively implement your social media activity you first need to think about a set of objectives you wish to achieve. Are you trying to find potential customers? Build loyalty among the ones you already have? Or improve your brand image?
2. Create useful content that adds value to your customers and that others will find interesting: This will not only demonstrate your expertise but also show you understand your customer’s needs. Tweeting about pressing issues affecting your industry will generate more interest than your love of Starbucks.
3. Be on your best behaviour! Think hard about actions that could cause a negative reaction within the social arena. Preventative behaviour can be frustrating but it’s a good thing on the whole, live your life as if your mother is watching.
4. Keep your profile up to date: Users will see straight through your marketing efforts if the last blog you posted was on April 30th…2009!
5. Customize your landing pages: Don’t stick with the generic default layout, the tools are there for a reason – use them.
6. Don’t forget about website and search engine optimisation: This can work not only for your website but also your social media accounts.
7. Use your own content: Don’t overuse links and widgets to other companies content. You want people looking at your content!
8. Expand your network: Connect with peers and Industry Authorities; this can help you raise awareness by jumping on the shoulders of some of the “Big Boys”. Authorities will generally follow you back and in a lot of cases republish your content (for example, retweet) not only endorsing you but also highlighting your company as a valuable resource. Don’t forget this works both ways, treat those as you wish to be tweeted.
9. Provide links to your social media on everything you distribute: Make everyone aware of the various ways they can contact you. People may not always read what you’re saying but they’ll repeatedly see your logo if nothing else. When the time comes, they’ll know who to turn too.
10. Make your social site a necessity: Use social media to announce exclusive deals and offers only available through your social media channels.
11. Be courteous: Follow those that follow you, they need followers as much as you do. You never know what it may lead too.
12. Take advantage of the tools on offer: Hash tags, URL’s, likes and @mentions are a great way to increase the exposure of your communications to a far greater audience.
13. Encourage employees to interact with current and potential customers: Boost worker participation in social media. Build a rapport and get to know your customers, they’ll be more likely to offer feedback this way and recommend you to their peers.