Free Social Media Marketing Tips
The importance of Internet marketing cannot be downplayed. Businesses know that marketing has to be aligned with the way consumers think and how they make their purchasing decisions. Times have changed and the real world is not the only place where we live our lives.
The virtual world is as significant; and people make important life decisions based on what they see and read online. This is why marketing is no longer limited to posters and ads you see on the streets. Businesses are able to reach out to people without them having to go out of the house or their office. As long as people have access to the Internet and social media, your business can reach them.
The Online Marketing Trend for the Year 2014
Here are some important statistics from the 2014 Social Media Marketing Industry Report that highlights the effectiveness and success of online marketing. Did you know that out of more than 2800 marketers who participated in this survey, 92% of them say that their marketing efforts in social media have created so much exposure for their business? There is also a 70% increase in visual assets for those who have consistently used memes and info graphics for their marketing efforts. Even blogging generated a 68% increase in exposure. This is especially true for those who write original and effective content.
Moreover, while podcasting and Google+ are also important marketing tools, 65% of marketers feel that they still need to gain more knowledge in this area. Podcasting, for example could still potentially grow, but as of 2014, only 6% of the marketers who participated in the survey use Podcasting. The 33% of them plan to create more original audio content in 2014. The biggest and most obvious result of this trend is the steady rise of Facebook among marketers. 90% of these marketers regularly use Facebook Ads compared to LinkedIn and Twitter. More than half of online marketers agree that Facebook is still the most important network to use in order to effectively market in these times.
Real-time Benefits
The reason why businesses and marketers use social media, email lists, email marketing and online content as effective tools is because they work. More often than not, they work real time. This is supported by a study conducted by Gartner analysts that showed an increasing number of people who use social media sites to research on products they like, especially those that are highly recommended and endorsed by celebrities. After all, everything can be hashtagged these days. Products and services that use hashtags in the right moment can spread like wildfire on the Internet. As a marketer, you would be foolish not to take advantage of these trends. Using social media is basically marketing on a shoestring. You only need a little investment, some creativity, and a lot of hard work to drive more revenue for your business.
Now, let's get into more detail and really talk about the different types of online marketing strategies that businesses now consider as necessities in generating revenue and more exposure for their brand.
It may seem like a very simple thing for ordinary people to click on the Like button on Facebook, or Retweet a post on Twitter; and this is exactly where the power of Social Media comes from. Its simplicity makes it very easy for a product, a topic, a person, or a video go viral. If you're still at the onset of planning your marketing strategy, it would be wise for you to never leave out the tools Social Media has to offer.
Let's start with Facebook. Need we say more? By simply having a Facebook page, any business can easily be found and discovered.
• Compelling content. Create and curate content that is helpful to your audience. Your content should be carefully planned so that it speaks about your brand as well as your products and services. This does not mean that your posts should be peppered with product placement. Keep a healthy ratio between product promotion and helpful content. Your content must be in tandem with the solutions that your business provides.
• Facebook contests can also be launched to drive people to visit your page. As a business owner, you will be able to showcase your product and gain helpful information about your audience. Contests are also helpful in building an opt in email list for your target demographic.
Tip: Plan your contest prize strategically. While an ipad or a vacation are very attractive prizes, it might not attract your specific target audience. Your product or a free trial of your service are both good prizes to bring the ‘right people’ in.
• Engagement. What's great about Facebook is that, you get to have interaction with your customers and be able to cater to their concerns and messages right away.
• Facebook business tools. There are ways for you to be able to maximise the impact and effects of your ad or post. Read here on how Facebook tools enable businesses optimise their campaigns.
• Insights. You will be able to better comprehend your marketing activities and your customers through the Analytics on your page. Track your results.
Twitter is a social media site that businesses should not live without. As a micro blogging tool, Twitter is way ahead of its competitors. Twitter has the power to link and auto update other social media sites. Every tweet goes through each of your follower's timelines or feeds. Twitter allows you to follow anyone, while there are rules to follow, and you best stick to the Twitter rules, you will be able to follow influencers, people and companies that resonate with you. When it comes to targeting potential customer, this basic Twitter feature makes this process very easy. The challenge is to have those you are following, follow you back so that your content will show up for them giving your content a chance to be shared with literally thousands if not hundreds of thousands of twitter users.
Related articles:
Starting a Twitter Account for Your Business. If you are not using twitter already or need help in completing your page, use this guide.
10 Things Entrepreneurs do on Twitter. This blog looks at how entrepreneurs make the most out of their Twitter pages.
You do not want to miss out on using LinkedIn. This social media site thrives after all, via a two-way or trust-based relationship. One great thing about marketing in LinkedIn is that when you get your lead or your potential client, you know that they're in it for real. It is very important to note that this is a network of over 65 million business professionals and 50% of these are the decision makers of their respective companies. LinkedIn may not be as easy as Facebook to connect, but it is as effective when used with the right content marketing and platform strategy. A separate LinkedIn profile for the individual who is running the business can be made. A profile can also be made for the business; and the two profiles can be linked. LinkedIn still involves posting updates, joining active group discussions and consistently sending messages to your own network. Recommendations while of some importance on LinkedIn, make sure you're always on your A-game when it comes to your activity and group posts, your customer are likely watching.
Make the most out of your profile
Your profile should read like a professional bio. Make sure your profile is complete so that anyone viewing it would have a good idea on what you do as well as what you can do for them. Here are some of the things that are often overlooked on Linked in profiles
- Link your profile to your website or blog. On LinkedIn, you have the option to choose ‘Other’ on the website link which allows you to place an interesting tag line instead of the website address.
Build up your recommendations. Actively seek and give out recommendations on LinkedIn. The recommendations section of your LinkedIn profile page matters to individuals and companies that you want to develop a business relationship with.
Connect
Connecting with people on LinkedIn is a way to increase your visibility when people search for people and companies to work with. Increasing your number of connections helps put you at the top of search results when people are searching for individuals or companies to work with.
Participate in groups
LinkedIn is a huge network and it is next to impossible to reach everyone. This is why smaller groups according to niche and interests are developed. Simply joining groups doesn’t cut it. Participation and engagement is what counts. Start and participate in group discussions to get insights from your niche market as well as establish yourself and your company as experts. Identify and participate in groups surrounding your niche as well as groups where your target prospects are.
Post consistently
Post content that your target audience would want to see. There are different types of LinkedIn posts. Here are the three types of posts that should be found on your LinkedIn posts.
- 1. Posts that identifies your brand
- 2. Posts about your product and services
- 3. Posts that are helpful to your audience
Use LinkedIn tools
LinkedIn has various tools that you can use to identify your target audience as well as reach out to them. These tools may be used in different ways depending on the type of company and market you have. This infographic published on Forbes can give you insight on the most frequently used and valued tools on LinkedIn. Here are the top five:
1. Who's viewed your profile
2. People you may know
3. Groups
4. Direct messaging
5. Advanced people searching
Pinterest and Instagram
Pinterest and Instagram users are not also far behind when it comes to reaping the benefits of Social Media Marketing. These two image based platforms are rapidly being recognised by entrepreneurs and consumers as an effective medium in brand promotion.
Instagram is about gaining followers. The advantage is that you get to put everything into focus by posting one image at a time. Its simple and straight-to-the-point layout also gives Instagram an advantage. Majority of business to consumer markets are flocking to Instagram to advertise their products and tell a story about their brands through daily posts.
Pinterest has the ability to broaden the scope of a marketing campaign. On Pinterest, a business or an individual can do more than just post one photo after another. Pinterest, storyboards can be created and shared. One advantage that differentiates Pinterest from Instagram is that you are able to post the link to the product or webpage under the image’s description. This makes it easy for your followers to follow the image’s link and learn more about it. Just recently Pinterest reported having over 10 million unique visitors. It has grown over 4000% because of its marketing potential. This is very beneficial for businesses that need to showcase their products and services.
Pinterest and Instagram are two fast growing business platforms. Customers are fast flocking to these platforms not only as mediums to share images from their daily lives but also to connect and learn about the brands that interest them. Different from a personal account, your Pinterest and Instagram pages should be planned and curated according to how you want to represent your brand using these platforms. Get started on Instagram and start your Pinterest profile right and get overwhelmed at what it can do for your business.
Email marketing
1. Make it easy for your subscribers to subscribe. Collect information that are vital to you such as names, birthdays or email address. Make your subscription form short and simple.
2. Let your audience know what to expect. Include information on what you will be sending them such as newsletters, your latest content or company updates and how many times they will be receiving these from you. Make your offers attractive but make sure that you follow through.
3. Send a welcome letter. Right after subscription, thank your readers for their loyalty and remind them why they are subscribed to your list and what they can look forward too. This is also a good time to attach incentives such as ebooks, webinar access or promo codes.
4. Good content, no fluff.
Tip: Send test emails to your colleagues to help you typos and design mistakes before it’s too late. There is no such thing as too much proofing.
5. Create a calendar. Make time to create and follow a schedule for writing your content in advance. Consistency is important to keep your subscribers interested.
6. Go mobile. Campaigns that are readable on mobile perform better because of the vast number of smart phone users who regularly checks their mails from their phones. If your email templates and design are not mobile ready, it is time to redesign them.
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About the Author
About Mary Stephany Alquiza
Stef is a writer, a teacher, a fan of sassy lines and most of all, a mother. She has watched countless reruns of the show Friends and identifies herself as a Monica.She reads with her son during her free time. She's a belever that grown-ups can still wildly dream; and that anyone if they fight hard enough, can make their dreams come true. She feels she's about to reach hers.
