This document provides guidance on using social media for businesses. It recommends focusing social media efforts on the "big 5" platforms: Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, and blogging. Key advice includes having a social media plan and goals, posting regularly with helpful content, engaging with customers, and connecting social profiles to maximize reach. Tracking links and brands is also suggested to measure effectiveness. The overall message is that social media can increase brand awareness and find new customers when done consistently as part of an integrated marketing strategy.
8. The younger generation goes straight to online reviews and social media sites to check out businesses The ShiftToday it’s about who knows you- inbound marketingMore than sending out postcards, manning trade show booths, static websitesIncreasing the visibility of YOU Building relationships like never before
9. Why are businesses using social media?Increase brand awarenessOffer helpful information and be the source of knowledge about your industryAppear currentConnect to a wider audienceFind new customersCustomer serviceMonitor their brandMonitor trends“Everyone else is doing it.” And, oh yeah, sell products and services
10. How do I start?Have a planDetermine your target market- who are they and where they hang outVerbalize what makes you different/better than your competition Answer the question- “so what?”Determine your goals for being in social mediaFigure out how much time you can devote
14. Remember that social media is all about being… socialOne Page Marketing PlanMy reason for existenceWhat sets my business apart from the restMy ideal customer What’s most important to my ideal customer when they are buying what I’m selling What I want to accomplish this yearThe top 3 things that are going to get me thereWhat will trigger my ideal customer to think of mePrograms I am running to reach my goalHow much money will I need to get it done?
16. Where do I start?Concentrate on the Big 5 Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Twitter Blogging/WordPress
17. Make your website more socialAdd social media icons on your site and link them to your social media accountsAdd a blog to your site- important to add changing content to your site Use Google Analytics to see where people are coming to your siteAdd YouTube videos to your site
18. Where do I start?Also…very importantClaim and/or develop your business listing with (even if you are B to B)Google PlacesYelpYahoo/BingMerchant Circle LinkedIn (Company Page)
19. What do I say? Think of the events of your company as social media “triggers”New products, special promotionsAwardsIndustry newsHolidaysPartnershipsAsk questionsContent is key!!!
20. What do I say? Customer/employee appreciationWhat’s happening in my business? What are we doing today?SeminarsEmail newsletterVideos/PhotosArticles/Blog Posts
21. Facebook Business Page1 or 2 posts per day is greatInclude all info about your businessRemember that you are the expert in your field, so post info as a thought leaderBe thankful, notice others- INTERACTShare links to great informationAsk and answer questionsInclude “Facebook only” promotionsPost videos and photosBe authentic and do not sell, sell, sell
22. Facebook Business PageInclude keywords and tagline in your profileInvite your FB “friends” to become “fans”“Like” other business pages and they will often return the favor
23. LinkedInPersonal ProfileUpdate your status regularlyFill out your profile to 100%Give recommendations/ask for themConnect with people you do NOT knowJoin Groups and get involvedHave realistic expectationsUse the ApplicationsGet involved with your network activity
24. LinkedInCompany ProfileFill it out with as much detail as possibleAdd employees who are on LinkedIn Products and services should be listed
25. Twitter Twitter can be a huge traffic funnel- if you use it consistently, have followers, and use a management application
26. TwitterTweet at least once per hourFollow peopleTweet out linksto your blogs, website, Facebook pageInteract with other Twitter usersSell, sell, sell is a no-noUse Twitter to watch trends in your industryGet acquainted with 3rd party apps, such as TweetDeck or HootsuiteUse a URL shortener such as bit.ly to track your links
27. TwitterProfile should have logo or photo, website, true name, bioBio has 160 characters, so focus is importantCustomize your backgroundUse twellow.com to find people to follow
28. YouTube (Video)Video is highly indexed by Google Over 2 billion views per day – nearly double prime-time TV audienceShort videos are fine Don’t have to be ultra-professionalCustomer testimonialsInterview employeesTurn the camera on yourself Location videos Post and tweet links to your videos
29. YouTubeSet up a YouTube Channel Videos should usually be under 4 minutesVideo ideas Customer testimonialsInterview employeesTurn the camera on yourself Location videos Post and tweet links to your videos
30. BloggingProvide helpful information to your customers and potential customersGenerally, blogs should not be more than 500 words. People want quick information.Pictures and images are goodGive people the ability to share out posts via social media
31. BloggingA blog once a week is excellentUse original contentUse your blogs to fill an email newsletterTweet and post links to your blogs on FB, Twitter, LinkedInAsk people to comment on your blogsDevelop a WordPress blog on your own domain
32. Connect it all togetherTweets can be sent to LinkedIn and FacebookFacebook posts can be sent to Twitter and LinkedInLinks to YouTube videos can be sent to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedInBlog posts can be sent everywhereGet the picture?
33. Connect it all together- how?Tweetdeck.comHootsuite.comTwitterfeed.comMobile Apps TweetcasterSeesmic
34. Track your links and your reachUse a URL shortener such as http://bit.ly (bit.ly) to see how many people click on a link you have shared Heardable.comKlout.comGoogle Analytics
36. Keep your sanitySchedule social media time into your dayUse a web service that lets you post to different places (Tweetdeck, Hootsuite, etc.)Keep your focus on your marketing planHave realistic expectationsSocial media does not replace all marketing and networking