It’s tough to imagine that Facebook has been around for nearly 10 years. If you haven’t accepted Social Media yet, it’s time to realize that it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Just about every major company is finding a way to leverage social media and you should too.
The biggest question is how can you get the best value from your social media campaign? In order to accomplish this you’re going to need a goal and solid direction. You have to ask yourself what you are trying to get out of using social media. Here are a few answers to this question:
- Generate sales
- Share information
- Build brand awareness
- Build a business community
- Generate buzz about your company
You’re more than likely trying to accomplish all 5 of the goals listed above. The most important thing to remember is that it’s going to take time. Some of the most successful social media campaigns are those that are consistent over the long run. If you’re expecting instant results, you’re going to be disappointed.
How to Stand Out Against the Competition
Setting yourself apart from the competition and beating them is no easy task, but it is possible. You’ll have to start with research. What I mean by that is you need to understand your target market. Find out who you’re trying to reach and how they participate in social media. Teenagers will certainly participate differently than those above the age of 40 so keep that in mind.
Consider reaching your audience in the following ways:
- Will you need a blog?
- Should you upload videos, music or podcasts?
- Will you promote special offers or products?
- Will you use humor?
- Should you develop your own YouTube channel?
Let’s face it – everyone loves to share an informing or funny video. Creating your own YouTube channel and promoting your business through this medium is a sure way to get people talking about your business. It might take time getting comfortable in front of a camera, but stick with it and you’ll reap the benefits.
Having a blog not only gives your fans and followers something else to tune into, it provides more content for them to read. An active blog also provides you a great opportunity to post fresh content to your social media pages.
It’s tough to find a market that isn’t competitive and staying unique is difficult sometimes, but you have to give your followers a reason why they should participate with you rather than your competition. It’s going to take some creativity on your end, but differentiating yourself is a must if you’re trying to stand out.
Assessing Your Strategy
Every social media strategy has to be measured. Assessing your efforts is challenging but you need to find ways to measure how your approach is impacting results. Are certain promotions generating more sales? Are videos being shared more than blog posts? What kind of content is making people comment and start conversations? These are all way you can assess your strategy and you should do it monthly.
Don’t be afraid to ask your fans and followers what they like and dislike. There is a reason why it’s called social media and you should take full advantage of it. Ask them for suggestions and get them fully involved in your campaign. They’ll not only feel good about contributing but they’ll feel appreciated as well. The most important part is to listen and act on their suggestions.