Social media can be a very cost effective way of driving traffic to your website. It can act as a powerful conduit, generating leads and driving-up conversion rates. But only when it's used properly.
"Some companies believe that all they need to do is add content, post articles and push their agendas. It's called social for a reason; you have to engage with your audience and let them be a part of the conversation. It's really about strategy and proper planning and execution," Candie A. Price, senior marketing communications manager at Marketing 24/7 Inc, told the Birmingham Business Journal.
That statement sums-up the problem most small businesses have with using social networks for their marketing. Posting sales, specials, promotions, and other enticements is perfectly fine, but it's got to be mixed with a consistent message and, a persona.
There are six common mistakes businesses make in their social media outreach. By avoiding these missteps, you can craft a social media strategy that's more effective and will have a longer-lasting impact:
That statement sums-up the problem most small businesses have with using social networks for their marketing. Posting sales, specials, promotions, and other enticements is perfectly fine, but it's got to be mixed with a consistent message and, a persona.
Common Mistakes in Social Media Strategy Marketing
There are six common mistakes businesses make in their social media outreach. By avoiding these missteps, you can craft a social media strategy that's more effective and will have a longer-lasting impact:
- You're not using hashtags properly. Hashtags, those keywords with a pound sign, like #socialmedia, are there for a good reason: to help users find content related to certain topics. Use these in your posts, and limit them to three or less.
- You're not embellishing your posts. Images are very powerful. In fact, Twitter pics increase engagement by a whopping 350 percent. Infographics, videos, and images are crucial to earning engagement.
- You're not being social. All business all the time will sabotage your social media marketing. Use your social profiles to create a personality that goes beyond your brand.
- You're spamming the audience. Too many status updates, tweets, shares, and the like will make your business unlikeable.
- You're posting at the wrong time. Each social site has its traffic patterns. Learn when to post and you won't be wasting your time.
And perhaps the biggest reason your business' social media strategy isn't working is because there's no there there.
Putting it another way, you're posting, but not giving your audience anything they can use. Send them to your blog and give something away for nothing--some inside information about your industry, a review of a product you carry, a tutorial, the benefits of using a service you offer. There has to be a carrot at the end of the stick.
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