Every second, two new members join LinkedIn. YouTube reaches more U.S. 18-34 year olds monthly than any cable network. 189 million Facebook users are mobile only. 93% of marketers use social media in business. Social media trends shape the world in which you do business. Are you in?
- Build brand trust and loyalty
- Reach influencers in your niche
- Increase word-of-mouth referrals
- Track conversations about your industry and company
Social Media Is Here to Stay
In another surprising trend, social media has overtaken porn as the #1 activity on the web. A daily habit for many users, there is no denying that social media carries serious weight and has lasting staying power. Some sources report that users check their Facebook accounts up to five times per day. The potential to engage new and current customers online through these platforms is huge for your business. We can help you find ideas for ways to tap in.
Social Media Integration
A wide range of social media technologies can be integrated into your website. Elements might include Facebook “Like” Google+ and Twitter buttons or more advanced integration with established and emerging social media platforms. Integrating your site with social media helps your customers make the most of your website:
- Easily share content through Facebook, Google, Twitter and hundreds of other Web 2.0 websites and networks
- Maximize influential capabilities of social media by integrating e-commerce websites
- Rapidly create bookmarks to your site using readily available social media tools
- Easily create site logins and accounts through the use of Facebook Open Graph
Examples of Social Media Integration
Account Log-in / Registration
- Facebook Connect
- Twitter Connect
- Google Connect
Onsite Content
- Twitter Status Feed
- Facebook Profile Badge
- Google Profile
Common Social Media Marketing Mistakes
Social media is an attractive marketing tool because it can be inexpensive, accessible and generally user friendly. People are connected more than ever to friends, colleagues, brands and interests through online social networks. However, diving into social media can be overwhelming for those new to it. When deciding which platforms to use, frequency of posting, or how much to interact, a deceptively simple task can snowball very quickly.
There is a learning curve involved, but putting the time in will pay off in the long run by generating valuable conversation about your brand and industry. To take full advantage of this powerful tool, be sure to avoid these common pitfalls:
- Ignoring it. – While it may be tempting to opt out, this is not the best choice. 67% of global users report having visited member communities, and 10% of all time spent on the internet is on social media. Social networks and blogs are the 4th most popular online activity, even outpacing personal email. On a daily basis, individuals talk about brands, product and service experiences, and share referrals. As a business, you don’t want to miss out.
- Believing anyone can run a social media campaign. – Even though someone may have experience with technology or grown up in the digital age, they may not have the know-how to develop an effective strategy. It’s not just about posting to your social media network, but what you hope to achieve by being there. Each company must make very individual decisions about platform, content and strategy. Subtleties of a good campaign go beyond whether to choose YouTube over Facebook or focus on a blog instead of Twitter. Ultimately, your campaign is about adding value to your customer, so understanding where they reside digitally and what they do there is key.
- Assuming social media is cheap and quick. – Using social media, companies often seek brand awareness, recall, more word of mouth, and more business, expecting dividends to come quickly. However, it is important to remember that digital marketing takes patience and timing. LIttle value will be derived from joining a social network, unless you take the time to meet the right people, connect, share, build, and grow. Any effort you put in should eventually bring rewards, but you have to give it enough time.
In helping clients develop a social media strategy, we walk you through a systematic process to get the best results on your campaign. We start by analyzing your business goals to create a customized plan, then help you get set up and start posting. Continuing services might include content generation or analytics to inform future strategies. Whether unsure of social media landscape and how it all works, or simply lacking time to maintain a robust presence, we are here to help.