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I admit I still get a little surprised when I’m out and about talking with friends, folks in a checkout line or other small business owners and find out they’re still not sure of this “social media” thing. They understand that use of social media is supposed to influence , expand a brand or get them to buy something. Yet, they’re still not so sure how that’s supposed to happen.
“Oh, yes. We have a Facebook page. My son/daughter takes care of it for us when they can”.
“We started using Pinterest this year. But, I spend too much time on it. There are so many great things to pin”.
“I’m on LinkedIn. I just haven’t looked at it in a while”.
“I don’t understand Twitter. I don’t think my customers even use it”.
“Blogging? I’m not a writer. I pay a company for industry articles”.
Anything sound familiar? Have you updated any one of those areas today?
Forbes published a slide presentation of information gathered from a Manta.com survey that shared which top five social media platforms were most frustrating for small business owners. The first three were Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. The Big Three in social media marketing and they were the most hated. Thinking of social media tasks as chores instead of dynamic opportunities to stimulate your business relationships is a mistake, in my opinion. Chores only get done because they have to, not because we want to.
I think part of the disconnect between using social media tools and using them well, is that because being online is so easy, there is a perceived notion that anyone can market online. Anyone can post “LOL”, hit “like”, “retweet” an article or post their company information. However, those examples are simply small pieces in establishing a strong online presence.
What’s missing are the large, long term goals of creating brand authority and developing lasting customer relationships and loyalty. In order to achieve those goals, there must be a consistent plan of action. There must be a commitment to investing time, interest and money into your social media strategy.
Because not everyone has the time or interest to learn how to make their business approachable, interesting and socially engaging to an audience of customers, often the chores get shipped out to paid-for automated sources. While I have often said automated content absolutely has its place for the benefit of time management on occasion, generic automation cannot be the main source of your online marketing. There is no “You” in paid generic content. If your “voice” isn’t coming through the content, someone else’s is and do you want your customers listening to them or you?
If you do one thing to improve your social media marketing, I urge you to get a consultation to discuss where you are with your efforts, what you want to achieve and how best to integrate appropriate social media platforms and assistance into your business.
Be Well. Be Present. Be Social.
~Theresa
21st Century SMM
Related Articles:
The 7 Top Social Media Sites For Business (and why you want to use them)
2013 SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING INDUSTRY REPORT
Social Media Automation: A Beginner’s Guide for Small Business Owners
[contact-form]Filed under: social media marketing Tagged: blog, blogging, brand presence, business online presence, customers, Facebook, LInkedIn, marketing, Pinterest, posts, social media, social media marketing, social media platforms, social media strategy, Twitter Image may be NSFW.
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