Social media is changing the way brands and consumers interact online and digital marketers are beginning to divide serious resources to social programs.
In today’s dynamic landscape, to make your social marketing success, it will take a real cultural shift in the way your company do business and in the way you interact with your customers and prospects. It needs you to put people, process, and technology requirements together for making this shift and does so with precision and clarity.
As we rocket towards 2012, I believe many companies are now taking stock in what they have done right in the year 2011, and reevaluation those choices that they made in which didn’t meet the outcomes as they expected.
The call-to-action from consumers have already give you and your brand lots of information towards how to integrating the principles of social business into your marketing plan. If you can get it done well, it will not only help your customer know you better, it will also help you generate the sales.
Employees at every level, starts at the very top – needs to embrace new technologies and shift their focus from “selling” to “building” and “engaging” relationships.
Its time to plan, to set yourselves up for a successful year ahead.
1. Don’t Leave Your Brand to Just Anyone
If you are thinking to leave your social marketing work to someone who under 30 who has used Facebook for personal use, or who got lots of friends on FB, think it again! A FB users’ friends or fan numbers don’t really tell you the fact, example. Seriously, you can’t just leave your brand to anyone.
It is true that whether it is online or offline, marketing still the marketing, it is only the medium that’s changed. In the social marketing, there’s a specific set of guidance and best practices that can help you meet your desired results.
To carry out your social marketing tasks effectively, the best way to go is to grow your own social media manager. If you employee or candidate has no social marketing and branding experience, set a budget now for training them in 2012. It is better for your business.
2. Customers (and Employees) are Influential within Their Own Networks
Engaging influencers boosts everyone’s online reputation, do let your personality shine through in the social networks! You don’t need to go that far or dig inside the net to find out who are the influence, the nearest one are already in front of you – your customers, prospect and your employees, they are the best influences.
The best thing about those social platforms are – they are open and connected world and folks, that’s where everybody headed, it is including your customers and employees. So think about what is it about your store that is unique? What experience do you deliver that no one else can?
3. People Buy Who You Are
It’s here and it’s not a fad – people no longer buy what you are selling, they buy WHO YOU ARE. When the customers buy any products or use any of your services, they will talking about you, when they do that, you should join and take part in their conversation. If you don’t do it, someone else (your competitor) will.
Embrace the social business, your customer is waiting to hear from you!
4. Leverage the Power of Your Online Community
In the life, people like to stay, do business, interact with their own people in the community. It is the same as in the online world, if you want to foster good relationships within your community and get more business, you need to take steps and make a concentrated effort on it – engaging members in day-to-day conversations.
It has long been known that community members typically buy from recommendation, from other community members. So engage your community and build a referral network to let them keep you in the top of their mind in any of their purchase decision process.
But do get ready to take the critics from those who have negative experiences with your products or services. If your business is based on referrals, remember to hire a specialist in online reputation to train your staff in recognizing the ideal situations and turn your customers into Brand Advocates.
Thus, don’t waste anymore time waiting to see what happens, make your 2012 the year to embrace social business, put your effort in the development of a winning social marketing strategy, turn visitors into fans and fans into super-fans, and supply yourself and your team with the tools you need to win at social business.
About Ann Liu
Connect with Us