Avoid these 3 Social Media Marketing Mistakes
The term “social media” is a household phrase these days. Most people have a pretty good idea of what social media marketing is, but very few know how to go about employing it correctly as an online business promotion strategy. Because of all the competition out there, owning a successful online business now involves so much more that the simple creation of a website. If you want to stay on top of the competition – namely at the top of the search engine rankings – you simply must become adept at utilizing the many social media vehicles to your advantage. Sometimes the best way to start is by first learning what not to do, so let’s begin with these 3 common newbie mistakes to avoid in your social media marketing strategy.
1. Don’t Overlook Your “Human Factor”
One thing holds true no matter what kind of business you’re running, and that’s the fact that no one likes to be sold. In the highly competitive world of online business, what are you doing to set yourself apart from the competition on a human level? Are you just a logo, or are you a person? In other words, when you’re using social media marketing to promote your business, don’t just post about your product or services. Offer friendly tips and advice, within your niche, of course. Make some friends along the way. They’ll not only become repeat customers, but also help you promote your business via word of mouth for free!
2. Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
This old adage actually carries a lot of wisdom when it comes to marketing an online business. In other words, don’t funnel all of your marketing resources into one place. Sure, you might have a great Facebook following, but don’t forget about all the other social media outlets out there, such as Twitter, StumbleUpon and Digg (to name only a few!) The more exposure you can gain, the more traffic you’re going to get. Period.
3. Don’t Neglect Your Blog
It’s easy, especially when business is good, to get busy and forget about the basics – like your blog. But this is an important factor in your SEO strategy, as well as an important touchstone for both your loyal repeat customers and for those potential customers looking to get a feel for what you’re all about. Even if it’s just a few minutes, spend some quality time with your blog everyday, updating it with current events and generally informative and even entertaining content. This will keep people engaged and, when done correctly, can even make them more receptive to your product or service.
Marketing your online business through social media can be a very effective strategy, as well as a fairly simple one, especially when you are aware of these 3 newbie pitfalls to avoid.