Common Mishaps of Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing mishaps – say that five times fast. Today companies cannot afford to ignore the momentum of the social media revolution; still considered to be in an early stage of development and yet has had a profound impact on society and business at a global level. When looking towards the marketing possibilities of social networks and new media some tend to be apprehensive and unsure of a proper approach. While no one marketing manager or public relations team has all the answers, here are some important considerations to help avoid common pitfalls when forming a social media marketing plan for your company or brand.
Creating a social media page for the sake of having a presence; this is not enough. The idea behind social media is interacting with your target audience, generating rapport and gaining feedback about your business. Keep the conversations going, frequently update content, and make your consumers feel like they matter.
Lack of transparency can hurt your social media marketing efforts. If you make the commitment to enter the social-sphere then be ready to share more than advertisements and press releases. Consumers want to see there is a human side to your company and expect more intimate details, stories from the inside, and personal experiences that show there is a relation between their needs and your offerings.
Try not to spread yourself thin by creating a presence on every social media outlet available. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn are good starting points, but know your market and target audience and seek out niche networks that relate to your company or brand.
Abandoning traditional media outlets and relying exclusively on a social media marketing plan is risky. While several grass-root campaigns have had success purely based on their social media exposure, the best approach is to unify your message across multiple channels to effectively create brand awareness.
Don’t assume social media marketing is a free ride because many platforms are free to use. It takes time and energy to build an effective social campaign that portrays a genuine effort to reach out to consumers and build lasting relationships.
