Monday 11 January 2016

Truths About Social Media Marketing

Earlier this week, Mikal Belicove published a well-written but misguided article entitled "Five Lies About Social Media Marketing." While several of his suggestions may be useful for marketers in certain limited situations, real estate social media marketing most of these social media "lies" are, in fact, truths. It just does. Much like the size of a company's email list has obvious importance to a brand, so does the distribution a brand has on Facebook. Of course, quality of userbase is of utmost importance. Having a large, engaged group of self-identified "fans" or "followers" on Facebook represents a highly valuable distribution channel. Take, for example, American Express. They have over 2 million Facebook fans, or 2 million people to whom they can deliver customer service, notify about new offers and engage with on a recurring basis.Ultimately, social media is about sharing, and sharing to a vacuum is useless. The more people signing up to view your message, the more likely you'll be able to effectively cultivate and monetize these relationships.Many small businesses equate the number of "likes" or "followers" on branded social-media platforms to success, not realizing that it's the quality of those likes and followers that is important. More people signing up to view your message doesn't necessarily equate an increase in sales or even a bump in long-term or sustainable brand recognition.Just because it's Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace or some other newfangled online or mobile-powered platform, the message still carries more weight than the medium. It's always been about the message. It's not about the platform or the technology. The technology is just a tool, social media marketing blogs and just because younger people were the first to use Twitter and Facebook, don't think for a moment that older employees can't effectively use them just as well.No, they don't. Here's my advice when you run across someone positioning himself or herself as a "social media guru" or expert. Run for the exit. Everybody working in this field is practicing on the job training.
social media marketing manager

The medium is the message

The medium is completely tied to the message in social media -- the two are inextricably linked. This isn't an issue of substituting technology in place of relevant brand messaging. social media marketing chicago Rather, this amazing "new media" (we'll get to that point later) has given brands and marketers an opportunity to position their products and messaging in a unique way. The best brands are doing a phenomenal job of seamlessly integrating the two, and the best and largest platform, Facebook, is working tirelessly to empower brands in every way possible. (Check out facebook.com/marketing, facebook-studio.com, and Facebook communities like Clinique, Starbucks, Audi and American Express.) Just because they've written a book like I have or spoken in public about the do's and don'ts of social media, doesn't mean they know your business and how to conceptualize and manage campaigns that hit upon your business-related goals.No, it isn't. Media is media. At one point or another, newspapers, radio, television and the Internet were considered new forms of media and now they're labeled as "traditional" media. So "new" media doesn't mean that only "experts" or young hotshots can successfully operate your social-media team. That's hogwash. Nothing replaces knowledge of the basics of marketing, combined with knowledge of your business-related goals and the need for authenticity and transparency in your socially laden communications.Nobody knows your business like the people who work inside your building. You can certainly work with an agency to set up and implement your social media-related efforts or to propose ideas for contests and the like. But when it comes to communicating your messages on a daily basis, social media brand marketing your people are in the best position to keep your community of customers and prospects up to date and informed about what really matters to them.Google last week began field testing Google+ -- the search giant's new social networking utility -- on an “invitation-only" basis, and many entrepreneurs and business owners are chomping at the bit for an opportunity.

Social media gurus really do exist

They certainly do. I'd qualify many of the talented social-media marketers and Facebook employees I've interacted with as social media gurus. And if you need names, consider Gary Vaynerchuck from Wine Library TV and Nick O'Neill from AllFacebook. cost of social media marketing If you're suggesting that too many people are trying to own the title of social media guru, then I can agree with that. However, there are incredibly bright people innovating within social media. Consider these folks; they're gurus and worth engaging with.This enthusiasm is fueled by a desire among businesses and brands to get in on the ground floor of what some anticipate will be a serious competitor to Facebook Pages. Some fear being left behind if they don't act now. Still, for the time being at least, Google is discouraging businesses and brands from participating.The company behind the Internet's most popular search engine confirmed this week that small- and medium-sized business pages and profiles will be a major factor on Google+, but not now. At present, there is no specific timeframe on when the company will start offering business profiles, according to a Google spokeswoman. "Unfortunately," she said, "Google+ is not quite ready for businesses. But we're working quickly to provide a way for companies to engage with their customers.That said, Google did offer some solace to owners: Companies can now apply to become part of Google's test phase for its business pages. Check out Google's online application.And while businesses aren't currently prohibited from joining, Google+ isn't designed for such use just yet. Furthermore, persistent beta party crashers will just have to recreate their business profile once companies are allowed in. Google won't be able to transfer those profiles over. define social media marketing So for now at least, businesses owners should sit back and let the platform evolve.There's Circles, which enables Google+ members to sort their parents from their frat brothers, or business associates from surfing buddies. It takes everyone out of a “Friends-style" category, allowing you to be more specific in targeting the audience you want to hear your message.

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