A lot more goes into social media marketing than just posting a few updates here and there. In order for social media to work long term you have to understand the ‘why’ of everything that you do.
Social media is extremely important in any marketing plan, whether you have an online business or a bricks and mortar business. You just need to know what your goals are and then use the right content to help you reach those goals.
Here’s what to do to make your social media marketing work for you long-term.
Be Consistent
I say this over and over again… you have to be consistent. You need to stick to whatever you decide to do and not just do it sporadically. Consistent and purposeful action will get the results you need to reach your goals.
Consistent and purposeful action will get the results you need to reach your goals. Share on X
Know Your ‘Why’
When it comes to marketing, there are three reasons you do it…
- To build awareness
- To develop credibility
- To increase sales
When you share any type of content make sure you know what your point is.
Understand Your Target Audience
Even if you researched and studied your target audience when you started your business, you must continue to study them. The demographics may stay the same, but your audience’s morals and values may change over time.
Use the Right Channels
Your target audience is probably not on every single social media network. Even if they are on all them, they’re going to be more active on one over the other. You will have to do some research to find out where they frequent. Focus on the most effective network and then two to three other ones.
Be of Value
The content you create needs to add value to your audience’s lives. The content should always be live on your website or blog and not on LinkedIn Publisher or elsewhere. Remember, if LinkedIn goes away tomorrow you could be left with nothing.
Constantly Build a Following
Do not buy fake followers, instead take the time to slowly build a following. Invite people to follow you on your various social media networks from your blog and email signature. You can also take advantage of promoted posts to target the right people and build your following.
Automate Strategically
It’s important to automate some action, but it’s also important not to automate everything. People will be able to tell if your entire account is automated. If it’s systematic, automate. If it’s personal, don’t automate.
Share the Right Amount
It’s very tempting to share several times a day to fill up your followers feeds with your content. But that would be a huge mistake. Each network has different levels that their audience enjoys. Make sure you study and learn about each network’s preference and stick to that. Share your content, old and new as well as informative, relevant content from others.
Track Your Results
Analyze and track everything you do to make sure that it’s working as planned. If something isn’t working, change it. Test, test, test and eventually you will find something that works for you.
Remember, social media marketing is a long-term game plan that you need to stick to and be consistent with.
