8 Simple Rules of Social Media for Your Business

Social Media Marketing is a highly powerful tool for promoting your business. Many businesses we talk to want to launch their social media marketing programs but have no idea where to start. With this in mind we created a short list of actions once you’ve determined the best social media platform(s) (facebook, twitter, youtube etc.) for your business.

1. Frequent Updates: When consumers and users come in contact with your Social Media Platforms and find that it has not been updated in several months, they will assume it is inactive and decide not to follow your business. Businesses that tend to have more updates on their Social Media Platforms tend to have significantly more engagement from their customers. Update your social media regularly with useful and meaningful information.

2. No Selling, No Pitching! Social media is used to connect and communicate, not pitch your services and products. Consumers are looking for meaningful information and a long term relationship with your brand. In some cases it is clearly ok to post a deal or special but a constant bombardment of sales tactics is a sure turnoff for consumers and fans alike.

3. Communicate with your audience, fans and followers. If you do not feel it is necessary to reply to comments, answer questions, or join in on conversations on your page, then social media is not for you. You need to be a part of the conversations on your page. If not, you will lose touch with your customers and what they want.

4. Be sure about your postings. Remember that anything posted on the internet will remain public record even after it has been deleted. Choose what you post on your page wisely. Be sure you have a social media policy in place so employees and consultants are aware of your post preferences. Working with a Digital Marketing Agency may mean you have someone else handling your posts for your company, be sure to hire an agency you can trust.

5. Link to others. If you find something interesting (and relevant) on the web, link it on your Facebook or Twitter page. Explain why you find it interesting (and relevant) and ask for input. Link to other companies, articles, cool websites, whatever. Just be sure to ask yourself before posting, is this relevant to my business?

6. Share! Don’t be afraid to show your consumers what your company’s employees are doing when they are not in the office. Take photos of your office picnic, philanthropic event, or even a run/walk for a good cause. These photos create a positive image about your company for your consumers. They want to know you’re human and don’t wear ties all the time.

7. Start a weekly trend. If you do something once a week, on the same day each week, your followers are bound to come back that day every week. For example, if you own a Jewelry store, every Monday you could post the piece of the week. Include an image and a promotion for the product.

8. Spread the word! If you have a Facebook, Twitter, blog, YouTube channel, etc. you really need to tell people. They are not just going to assume you have them. Put them on your company website, on your business cards, put a sign up in your store saying “Add us!” the relevant social media icons for each site next to the copy. Don’t be afraid to tell your customers you’re on Facebook. If they like you and your product, they will share it with their networks.