If marketing is about putting your message where your audience hangs out (which it is), then social media is a no brainer.
That said, many businesses fail to fully leverage social media in their marketing plans. They dabble, sure, but their strategic efforts end with content and advertising.
That’s a big mistake, and here’s why…
Today, 79% of US internet users are on Facebook. Six out of ten Americans stay updated on news through social media, while 35% have used social media to look for or research a job.
And these same numbers are reflected worldwide. Is it any wonder marketers are going social to grow their business?
The trouble is that “going social” isn’t as easy as it looks. There’s a lot more to social media marketing than simply posting to Facebook and Twitter.
In this chapter, we cover the basics of a successful social media program, including methods and metrics, the business roles that should own your social media marketing, and the lingo you’ll use to talk about it.
Keep in mind, there’s a big difference between a social media manager and a community manager. (Yes, both manage social media efforts, but their focus is different.) Learn more in our article, Social Media Manager vs. Community Manager.
There are 4 stages in a successful social cycle:
- Listening
- Influencing
- Networking
- Selling
All 4 of these stages are key to reaching social media success. But all of it hinges on Stage 1: Social Listening.
Listening gives you the insights you need to perform the other 3 stages well. It helps you develop a strategy that will give you influence, a strong network, and lots of leads and sales.
The key, of course, is to get your information in front of your prospects and customers where they hang out online. For most businesses, that includes one or more of these top social networking sites.
