Social Media 22 will teach you different strategies and also provide you with a social media marketing plan that will only take a 1/2 hour a day to maintain.

There are limitless opportunities to use social media to promote your business and obtain new clients. By taking advantage of these easy-to-do strategies, social media marketing will help you:

• reach your target market;
• build a recognizable brand;
• drive quality traffic to your website;
• help create positive customer relations.

Word-of-Mouth Marketing: Out with the old and in with the new!

Traditional marketing of pushing a product or service driven message and hoping for a 1-2% response is almost ancient (or at least your should be mummifying this type of marketing mentality). These days it’s all about value. What is your business bringing to the table? What makes your business unique and different? What are you an expert on? And most importantly, what’s in it for them (your target market)? Social Media brings word-of-mouth marketing to a whole new level and provides you with huge opportunities. When you provide valuable, helpful or interesting content, people will want to follow you on Twitter, keep up with your Facebook Fan page or tune into your blog. Because they are interested in what you are posting, they will repost your info, bookmark it and even tell other people to check out your company - completely free promotion just by providing valuable content! Also, once you have their interest, the use of strong calls to action (CTAs) will drive them into the “buying” process. Valuable content does = money and is an indirect sales technique that will put you ahead in your industry.

Your company brand is everything. Your logo, your mission, your values, you customer process - everything you do as a business affects your brand. Social Media is one of the best resources to brand your company. It gives you free exposure and allows you to be in front of your target market on a daily basis.

One of the best ways to brand your company effectively is to hear what people are saying about your company, competitors, or even your industry. If you listen to what your market wants and then implement this into your product or service, you will surely bring in more business. Also, use social media to show your knowledge and expertise. This will give you credibility and will help anchor a strong brand. Further, by posting valuable content that is helpful to people, your brand will become recognizable when you begin to have a following – a really neat feeling! And…when you join in on the conversation and get to know your audience, you are cultivating a brand that will resonate with your market; use social media to be remembered!

Some ways to use social media to brand your company are:

• Take a poll – see what your audience wants and then deliver on this or discover what they think needs improvement and make the change in your product or service.
• Use social media for giveaways. This is an excellent tactic to get followers in the process.
• Comment frequently to those who discuss your brand on blogs, social media networks, and wikis. Being involved in the conversation will show people that you want to be a part of what others are saying; this helps build a recognizable brand. A company with a voice is powerful.

Customer Relations is an integral part of your success. Your customers are your business! A perfect example is when I choose to go to a small town’s grocery store rather than a larger grocery chain…why? Because at the smaller store, I am greeted with a smile and they care about what I think and my satisfaction. This goes a long way with people and caring about your target market will bring you way ahead of the game.

Social media gives you the ability to learn what your audience is saying about your company – the good and the bad - it gives you a chance to quickly make things right if there is any negative talk, which makes people happy and satisfied. A simple response goes a long way – so join in on the conversation! Building customer relationships is a key component to your success. From a recent Referral Coach and Red Zone Marketing Boot Camp, we learned that referrals are the easiest and best way to grow your business. Referrals start with having excellent customer relations with your customers and even prospects.

Some specific opportunities to build strong relations with social media are:

• Have a Q&A or comments forum in a Linkedin Group, on your Facebook Fan Page, or even on your blog. This will allow you to engage with your target audience while being helpful to them.
• Monitor comments on social media sites and be active in the conversations – you do not have to spend hours responding, but a quick response here and there will show your target audience that you are present.
• Do not delete negative comments (not that you would get any negative comments), but on the rare occasion, respond in a positive way and try to make things right. This will surely be appreciated.
• And, most importantly, BE HUMAN. Your company and brand is built on your personality. You are your company, so don’t be afraid to show people who you are. Of course stay professional, but be human. For example, we know of a financial advisor that puts out a newsletter each month and has a section on his family; updates on the kids, his spouse, what’s going on in their lives and more…his customers love this! The likability factor is important. You don’t have to spill the beans on your private life, but just be yourself when conversing with your clients and prospects. A company with a voice and personality is important.