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I’ve always been a little quirky. Tactful people describe me as imaginative and creative. The not-so-tactful ones say I’m one-of-a-kind, maybe even a little nutty. I’m not offended, because all those words make me unique, which is perfect for a writer. I know that if I am going to get and keep clients, I have to step up, stand out, and get noticed.
The same is true when using social media to promote your business. On Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, Vimeo, Instagram, and others, you have to get noticed or you are wasting your time and money.
“Why spend your life trying to fit in, when you are born to stand out?” says Ziad K. Abdelnour, author of Economic Warfare: Secrets of Wealth Creation in the Age of Welfare Politics. Standing out is how to tap into the growing number of social media outlets and use them to your advantage, as we’ve stressed time and time again on our blog.
Show that you care…and be sincere
Knowing what to share is critical if you want people to remember it and share it. “…you need good, fresh, and original content,” says Social Media Solution. “People follow companies that care about their interests. The most successful brands on social media are the ones who are transparent and authentic. Social media users are clever; they will figure out very quickly that you are only pretending if you are not sincere.”
Social media works by sharing small bits of information at a time. When you share this information you want people to remember it, and share it with their friends. For this to happen, you need good, fresh, and original content. Social media users strongly reject self-boasting and strong sales pitches.
People follow companies who care about their interests the # can be a valuable tool when you want to draw attention to a subject. If you are for example a study center, you can use the #studytip for tips and advice during exams.
The most successful brands on social media are the ones who are transparent and authentic. Social media users are clever; they will figure out very quickly that you are only pretending if you are not sincere. When your promises and your behavior do not give the same message, then you are seen as a fraud.
Content is the new advertising, find out what your customer wants. Your content should be original, never copied, and always current. Make sure that you check your spelling. Allow people to share your content from your blog or web page with share buttons. When people share your content, you look like the expert. Make sure your social media buttons on your landing page are clear and that you have a call to action on your page.
You’re using social media to build and reinforce your brand. So, don’t fall into the trap of trying to be seen on every single social media channel. If you do, you will lose control and spread yourself too thin. Staying up-to-date on too many media outlets is time-consuming, especially for a small business.
“Rather be great on 4 channels than be average on 10.”
Get and keep your competitive edge
Knowing how to use social media gives you a great advantage over your competition, Get Noticed Social Media tells us. Using social media to stand out and stay on top fills a void. When you fill that void first, you make it more difficult for other companies to jump in and get your target followers.
Post frequently
Keep your name in front of them with useful tips, information, and advice. Don’t let your followers forget who you are and what you do.
Stay engaged. “The more people know of your social media presence, the better results you’ll have,” says Petra Neiger.
Be humble
Regardless of its general form and purpose, one facet your social media campaign must include is habitual rapid, and professional response to all comments, inquiries, and reviews. This one aspect could prove the factor that spares your campaign total failure instead of resounding success. Negative comments and reviews must get your response. Ignoring complaints and suggestions could compromise your brand’s integrity in the eyes of your customers. However, a fast and proper response can make you look good, because it shows you care.
“Customers tend to be put off by posts that carry an arrogant or conceded tone, regardless of your company size. You must always remember that it is your customers who ultimately wield the most power in your relationship, not you. So, make sure you do your best to make sure they’re happy with you and can appreciate your posts.”
When working with social media and using it to promote your business, you must be prepared for any negative feedback that comes with it. Of course, you want your followers to post positive comments about you, but this isn’t going to always happen. You must be prepared to handle the negative ones as well. Don’t ignore it, but respond to it helpfully.
Respond to comments fast
Customers expect you to listen to them. They count on your rapid and professional response to all comments, inquiries, and reviews (especially negative ones!). A fast and proper response can make you look good because it shows you care. We recently detailed how best to be responsive.
Make it worth their time
Offer your social media followers exclusive deals, discounts, and coupon codes. This can raise your profits and give you additional sales. Plus, it keeps them coming back for more.
Promote your posts
Integrate your social media efforts into all of your content marketing. Mention it on your Home Page and in your blogs to maximize your social media presence. Even add social media feeds to your banners. And remember to include social media in traditional advertising, like newsletters, email campaigns, signatures, business cards, and even presentations.
Mention Facebook in your Tweets and your YouTube videos on Facebook. That kind of attention to detail will maximize your efforts.
Encourage sharing
Use social media bookmarks and sharing tools to enable people to share your page. StumbleUpon, Digg, and other tools like these can help you get the word out to more people.
“Be active,” recommends Petra Neiger. “Don’t just rely on other people bookmarking and sharing your content, have people on your team do the same to increase impact. You can add this feature to almost anything you do online—web page, blog, social media releases, etc.”
If you want your social media to step up, stand out, and get noticed, talk to our marketing experts.