HOW TO HARNESS SOCIAL MEDIA?
Enticing others to ‘join’ the conversation.’ Vlogging is one easy way to start with a short one minute video, posted daily on Instagram, soon you will build followers. If you should go down this route – remember the camera can be your friend or your enemy – keep it short, upbeat and topical – it is easy to go off topic – but don’t; as this will create a dilution to your key message.
WHAT TO DO?
Creating a ‘safe’ environment for talk on your blog is important whether it be about weight loss or other topics, people need to feel safe to air their views and not feel belittled, bullied, or targeted. Communicating ‘newsworthy’ stories on Twitter helps to keep the conversation going and enhances your business profile.
LinkedIn helps keep me in touch with my professional network and clients, and share my expertise through LinkedIn posts. I find investing in LinkedIn Premium allows self promotion and no wastage targeting. The look and feel changes in Premium and you are able to send DM’s to decision makers outside your network. Four out of five LinkedIn users are business owners, which is particularly useful if you are trying to target new business or career opportunities.
WHERE & HOW TO START BLOGGING?
Location, Location, Location – writing a blog that focuses on food, travel and lifestyle has created a ‘go to’ for people to click on, and find out what is happening in Melbourne, where to go and what to do. WordPress is an easy platform to start blogging. Initially it is free but if you would like more sophisticated designs you need to upgrade. It has great tracking so you can see your engagement. Wix is another good blogging site but you do need design knowledge, as the strips can be complicated to use for a first time blogger.
DO YOU NEED SEO?
Using SEO raises awareness of your social media platform, it allows more click per views which is what we all desire, creating higher prominence on all searches by your potential viewers /clients. If you don’t have the savvy to do this through using key words then rest assured the Google crawlers will eventually find you. Stick with it as there is no definitive time set for this to occur.
HOW DO YOU BUILD YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILE?
So why is it that everyone is crazy at doing selfies, using Snapchat and putting funny animal parts on their photos? Because we all have to lighten up! Social media can be used in many different ways and environments — for social or business uses. Are you B2B, B2C or Both? What are the demographics of who you are targeting? What are your objectives? Remember the more platforms you take on the more you have to manage so keep it to two to three unless you use a Social Media Marketing Agency.
Social platforms are: Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Facebook groups, Skype, Pinterest, YouTube, Vimeo, Meet-Up, Tumblr.
Business platforms are: LinkedIn, Twitter and Business Facebook pages.
HOW TO INCORPORATE VIDEO INTO YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA?
You can use social or business platforms and can be used as a campaign e.g. if you want to use a video as a Vlog then it should be short and Instagram is a good platform for a one minute video. Out of the ashes of Vine’s demise when Twitter took over – ‘Byte’ has risen which is a new looping video app. If you want to promote a band or a cause you might set up a YouTube account and put it on there or use Vimeo.
For those of you that are unsure what platform to use surf on the Internet and see what might suit the route that you would like to go down – one shoe does not fit all! Also not everyone’s writing skills or computer skills are as good as the next and that is why there are consultants who can content manage your narrative by working on your behalf.
CAN YOU MAKE MONEY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA?
The simple answer is YES. You don’t have to be Kim Kardashian to do this; you can do it through promoting advertisements on your social media platform such as Facebook or a blog. Affiliate marketing is a great way to make money and still get your message out. Be warned you will need to show big numbers of followers before an Affiliate will be interested in being placed on your platform.
CHEAP SOLUTIONS FOR YOU!
For small businesses that need to outsource some work but have a low budget try ‘Fiver’ and write a short brief and see who bids for your work. Look at samples of their work before engaging them – not always the cheapest is the best solution.
TAKE A BREAK AND SEE HOW SOCIAL MEDIA CAN WORK FOR YOU!
Petra Harmer-Shrowder has assisted many small to medium sized businesses sharing insight, creating content and designing strategic plans to build businesses. She is a marketing communications consultant, food, travel and lifestyle blogger and a wellness professional: http://www.holdtheprosecco.com http://www.phbalanceforlife.com http://www.phcommunications.net If you would like to get in touch please email: Petramarcomms@icloud.com or connect via LinkedIn.
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