It’s seems that just about everyone, from mom-and-pop shops to Fortune 500 corporations, have jumped on the social media bandwagon. Social Media marketing has become more than just a trend. In fact, more than three-fourths of marketers say they will increase their social media spending in 2012, according to an article in bizreport.com.
The article, 75% of marketers to up social media spend in 2012, highlights an international survey by Wildfire Interactive marketing firm that shows 88 percent of marketers believed they were getting a positive ROI in social media marketing.
It turns out, these companies measure success in different ways. Determining what success means to your business is crucial in deciding whether your particular social media campaign is working. There are several ways to gauge this: number of fans and followers, percentage and type of engagement, brand awareness, increased sales or gaining new costumers. The list goes on and on.
Many businesses get into social media, only to give up after a few months, determining “Social media doesn’t work for me.” But social media marketing is, at its core, marketing, and should be part of your overall marketing plan. A place to start comes from Social Media Measurement: 4 Metrics For Your Effectiveness, which advises looking at:
- The Number of Quality Fans
- Testimonials on Facebook, which equal Word-of-Mouth
- Website Traffic and New Clients, and
- Engagement with Fans
Still a little unsure of how to best use social media? Take a look at Transform your Small Business with Social Media: A Checklist, for tips for newbies, or for those who just need a refresher. Among the tips are basic, but important ones, like social media etiquette. The writer offers these reminders:
- Promote others more than you promote yourself.
- Listen carefully, respond quickly, and share helpful information, and.
- Thank everyone who shared your content.
There are many social media channels, including blogging, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. And though they all have different users, and uses, the tips offered in the articles above can help you fine-tune your strategy.
