Social Media Marketing (SMM) is almost the same as like having a conversation with your friends at a coffee shop. It is also like getting that unexpected phone call from an old friend and just talking to each other. It is conversational and laid back. There are hundreds of companies jumping in on the social media band wagon that really just don’t get it and they are usually trying to hard. Here’s an article I came across on SocialMediaToday.com.
I often write about enterprise organizations and global brands…essentially big businesses. This is the first in a series dedicated to small businesses.
One of the biggest misconceptions about social media strategy is that only the big brands and enterprise organizations can afford success. The impression is bigger businesses have unlimited resources, people and budgets to execute on all new ideas. This is simply not true. Like in anything, people are focused on their jobs as they exist and anything new that comes along, well, it’s met with prejudice.
The truth is that small businesses possess an enormous advantage over big businesses—the ability to recognize and adapt to new opportunities much faster, with far less investment, and with a greater capacity to learn and improve at will. So when it comes down to how a small business should consider how to employ a social media strategy, why would we look to big business for inspiration?
a) Because they have millions of friends, fans, and followers?
b) They are getting a ton of Likes, Tweets, and Youtube views?
c) They are always the source of the best content – videos, posts, infographics, designs
d) None of the aboveThe answer is “d” – none of the above.
Why?
Because most businesses, large and small, have not answered that very question, why? Why would we go on social networks? Why would customers connect with us there? Why would we gain any value out of online engagement? Why would any of this impact my business?
At the root of the problem, today’s social media programs start with the technology in mind and not the solution in mind. Many businesses jump into Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google+, et al, without thinking through opportunities or customer expectations and experiences.
To help get you started and to leap frog even the most advanced businesses in social media, I’ve outlined 5-step approach. Working through it will assist in the development of a relevant social media strategy that allows you to earn customer attention, relationships, and loyalty in places that only expand your reach and impact.
5 Ways to Develop a Strategic Social Media Presence
1. Listen, Search, Walk a “Daily in the Life” of…
Take some time to search Google, Yelp, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Google+ for related keywords and geographies to your business.
Take notes of what you find…capture the trends, insights, activity, and the players that matter to you
Document the 5W’s + the H.E.: Who, What, When, Why, How, and to What Extent – it’s the only way to work toward ROI
Prioritize networks
Recognize patterns and behavior
Observe trends and themes
Tip: Also pay attention to what people aren’t saying or sharing
2. Define Your Online Brand: What do you want people to see and appreciate?
Take a step back to think about the value you can add based on who you are and the expertise or the unique service or solution that only you can provide
Define why you are different than your competition
Design the professional brand and the persona you would like to convey online
Describe “your” experience: What is it that you want people to see or think when they find you in social networks
Portray your brand, persona and the experience in your profiles
Tip: Don’t sell or overly promote…
3. Develop a Social Media Strategy: Make your presence matter
Write a vision statement for how you will use social media to build relationships, a community around your value proposition, and how social media will enable your strategy
Describe what social media success will look like
Customize your presence, goals, and what success looks like in each network
Create an editorial program that reinforces your value, your business, and your goals within each network
Understand what format to you love using AND what seems to be the formats your customers prefer
Curate relevant and interesting content that reflects your professional and personal interests
Tip: Find the balance between personal and professional activity online, it can’t be ALL business
4. Build and Invest in Your Community: Participate and earn affinity to become a trusted resource
Share insights in the communities that matter to your business and reach beyond the friends, fans, and followers you already have
Identify and talk to local online influencers who can help you spread your expertise and value
Ask and answer questions in your communities and across other vibrant communities hosted by others
Maintain a valuable and timely presence
Create a “linked” network of resources: Link to or recommend people who can also help your customers
Tip: Invest proportionally in social media, search engine optimization/digital and your real world activities
5. Learn: Repeat steps 1-5 over time to stay relevant as technology and behavior evolves
Learn from everything to improve experiences and your overall strategy
Ask your community what they’re looking for and how you can better help
Monitor activity using social media listening tools around you and in your areas of focus to stay on top of trends, themes, and needs
Tip: Looking at activity through the lens of your customers and walking in their shoes will always keep you on target in your strategy
