Pick a few social media accounts.
Social media use continues to come up daily from clients, business owners, employees, futurists, and Chamber of Commerce members in Madison, Wisconsin, Winter Park, Florida.
Why, why, why do I need to use social media? How, when and what do I say? So here’s a social media Q&A:
Q: Do I need to do social media?
A: Yes. Social media should be used daily
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, Google Plus, YouTube, Vimeo, StumbleUpon, Flickr, Picasa, Photobucket, Pinterest, Reddit, Tumblr…ALL FREE. Everyone is using them so stop being the only one NOT using it because you want to be a rebel. And because as someone wisely said to me today: you can go to YouTube and have a 12-year-old explain it to you.
If you don’t know how to “do” it, get a free lesson from YouTube. Google it! There are a lot of people who have easy videos that walk you through EVERYTHING.
This is about generating website traffic and getting your business some exposure. Would you turn down a free TV, radio or print ad in a magazine or newspaper? Didn’t think so.
Q: Why?
A: Social media fuels website traffic because you link your social media to your site and people check you out. The interactions you have with people COUNT and your activity is monitored by search engines.
Q: Are you sure?
A: Yes. And all of your competitors are there.
Q: Why should I use social media?
A: It’s a free tool that MILLIONS of people and prospects are using. Get your mind wrapped around some new skills. Never too old to learn. It’s easy if you give yourself time to learn it–like any other skill.
Q: How much time should I be using social media?
A: Whatever amount of time you have, you’re already behind. You’re asking about it while everyone else is already using it. Catch up use it at least once a day. Use Hootsuite to post to five social media at one time!
Q: What do I say?
A: Create a personality online through posts, links from articles you like, pictures you like, videos you like. Be interesting. Be sure to post things that YOUR TARGET is interested in socially.
Q: Are there any guidelines?
A: Anything goes, but as a rule of thumb: if you can’t say it over a cup of coffee to a friend, don’t say it. In other words…stop selling. You can share, inform, entertain but say things briefly in a voice you’d use with friends. It’s social, be sociable.
Q: Is there anything I shouldn’t say on social media?
A: DO NOT BORE PEOPLE with what you’re watching on TV, what you ate or what song you’re listening to.
Q: What do I say about my business?
A: Not a whole lot. SHOW your value in tips, lessons, ideas, lists, guidelines, pictures, videos, inform, interest people in what you’re doing. Use a lot of pictures. As people scroll through they’re looking for cool pictures, inspirational quotes, warm sayings, funny pictures, hilarious video. There’s plenty to share.
Q: How do I find time?
A: Manage your schedule. This is free advertising. If you don’t want it, there are millions of other people and your competition who will gladly find the time. It’s a phenomena. You don’t have to like it. Look at it as website fuel, gas that feeds the search engines.
You can post to your website, post to your social media and comment on blogs in less than an hour if you put your mind to it. It’s free. And if you truly can’t find the time, train staff to do it and rotate the responsibility.
Need help then contact The Marketing Square. We’ll teach you and your staff best practices in an hour.
