There’s no doubt that in today’s techno-centric marketplace, it pays to be social, and linking your social media accounts can make it a lot easier to manage them. Since both Facebook and Instagram are under the same ownership, it makes sense to link these two powerhouse platforms. But how do you do it - and why? Here's the how ... The first part - how to link your accounts - is pretty simple. All it takes is a couple taps or clicks to complete the process, and Instagram has the step-by-step instructions for both iPhones and Android phones on its site here. Be prepared for the usual sequence of permission pages and privacy settings to allow both accounts to “communicate” with each other and determine who sees your posts (in this case, your friends on Facebook). Having separate business accounts on each platform prevents accidentally posting personal pictures on your business page. Pretty simple, right? Now, what are the benefits of linking? ... and here's the "why" The primary advantage of linking Facebook and Instagram? ( Get ready, it’s corny) A picture is worth a thousands words. Yes, you’ve heard it hundreds of times before, but it’s true - people respond more to visual images, and using photos and videos is a great way to promote your image and underscore your brand. Linking the two apps makes it easy to share the images you want your audience to see. Yes, you can use other apps to share photos - you can even upload them directly to Facebook from your computer. But because Facebook owns Instagram, these two platforms are designed to work together - and that means you get the most traction and the greatest ease by pairing the two. Plus, you can tap into exclusive functions that make it easier to track and manage your social presence on both platforms so you can be more effective in driving sales and building your brand presence. Finally, linking your social media accounts sends the message that your brand is well-established and trustworthy. All the “big brands” do it, and by joining the push toward social media integration, you position your company as one that’s forward-thinking and in-step with its customers’ evolving needs. Not sure how to get started? Don’t let the process overwhelm you. Working with a marketing company takes the guesswork out of setting up and managing your accounts so you can focus on your business and your customers. Pinterest has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years, today hosting more than 100 million active users, or pinners as they're called. While some businesses have been quick to adopt the platform as a powerful promotional tool for their products and services, others have been slower to move, often because they're “bogged down” by the idea that Pinterest is primarily for craft and recipe ideas, or that their audience simply doesn't use the platform. Not so – and if your misconceptions of Pinterest have been keeping you from promoting your business on the platform, you're missing out on some significant benefits, including a much longer life cycle for your content and the potential to significantly expand your customer base. If you're not sure how Pinterest can help your grow your business, here's what you need to know in a nutshell: Boards and Pins Pinterest lets users post content to boards they set up around specific themes or ideas. As a business, you want to set up boards that are related not just to your product, but to your audience as well; like any other type of marketing content, Pinterest content must be relevant to be effective. Images Pinterest is a visual platform with each pin associated with a specific image, so when creating content, you need to think not just of the words and pictures on your site, but also of the image you'll use to promote each bit of content on Pinterest. You can use your own images or you can subscribe to a stock site to find the most appropriate images. Analytics, Rich Pins and Promoted Pins Business accounts have access to a wealth of analytic information to make it easier to learn what's working and what's not, and promoted and rich pins make it easier to reach new audiences and provide additional “at-a-glance” information that makes it easier for pinners to connect with your business. I don't have time to add another social media site to my marketing plan We hear you, but the fact is, Pinterest is so popular, if your business doesn't have a strong presence there, you'll be missing out on a big piece of the marketing pie. If learning and maintaining a new platform seems overwhelming, consider hiring a marketing company to do the grunt work for you, so you can focus on running your business while still reaping the rewards. Just when you thought every social media marketing channel and method had been created, a new idea seems to emerge. Facebook is one of the original players in the social media spectrum, and with their newest invention, Facebook Live, they prove that they’re still innovators. The business and marketing buzz has begun, which means it’s time for companies to learn what Facebook Live is, and how they can use it.
Facebook Live is a Powerful Connection You may be asking: What is this Facebook Live, and why should I bother to use it? The answer is simple—not only does it allow you to reach your followers in a unique way, it also lets you generate new followers. Facebook Live is the power to broadcast anytime, anywhere. All you need is your mobile device with a camera to make it happen. Not only that, but Facebook Live gives you instant reactions. You’ll know if what you’re doing is of interest to your customers and potential customers instantaneously through their comments. And, you can interact: If a customer has a question while you’re broadcasting, you can answer it right then and there—Live! How Can Businesses Use Facebook Live? Probably the most infamous use of Facebook Live to-date is the father who accidentally broadcast the birth of his child to the world. Although it created quite a stir, businesses can be far more strategic with their live content. Whether you offer a service or product, Facebook Live is an excellent tool. Some ways it has already been used include: • Product unveilings • Product demos • Weekly shows • Staff features • Customer of the week features • How the services or products are used • Behind the scenes • Breaking/important news • Weekly features on solving issues customers are having Planning and Using Facebook Live One of the biggest mistakes a business can make is to go into Facebook Live without a plan in mind. You need to approach it as you would any other marketing plan. Determine your audience, infuse the content with your brand, decide when, how and what you’ll do. Design a schedule for creating and airing your live streams. And always: • Ensure the content is educational • Promote to your audiences in advance • Optimize lighting and audio • Come up with short, enticing titles • Engage your audience during broadcast • Add a call to action • Utilize the edit tool after broadcast to maximize the effect Those who get in on the ground floor of something exciting often gain notice, which is why your business should consider signing up for Facebook Live- today. Further Reading Want to learn more? Read this guide from Hubspot for an in-depth view on how to actually operate this powerful service. Social media platforms constantly ebb and flow. Within the latest-and-greatest and on-the-way-out social media tools are a steadfast selection of platforms that businesses should be using. Along with Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, Instagram has remained a favorite among users. But you may be asking yourself: how can a photo site help my business? Before you start learning how to use it, it’s important to know what Instagram is.
Instagram is More than Photos Instagram is a way to share your life—or in a business’s case, a story—through photos and videos. It’s a way to let others ‘see’ what you’re experiencing on a day-to-day basis. Further, it’s instant. With a simple app, you can point, shoot and share what’s going on. So How Does a Business Use Instagram? Before you sign up for Instagram, familiarize yourself with the Instagram for Business Blog. You’ll find tools, tips, ideas and more to start your campaign. It will also show you how to navigate the site and app. Next, start exploring Instagram accounts of businesses in your industry. Take note as to what works for followers, and how you can transform ideas into your own unique marketing campaign. After you’ve got a grasp on how Instagram works, it’s time to look at how to use it:
Getting Started on Instagram Like many things, the early days of using a new tool takes practice. You’ll want to come up with your strategy, and then test times that you post. You’ll discover when your audience is watching and engaging. Make sure to tie in Instagram with your other social media accounts and overall marketing plan. You should have a goal; to use Instagram to increase website traffic, get more sales or increase brand awareness. Even if you have different themes or campaigns, they should always have a cohesive, recognizable underlying brand. Instagram is an excellent way to entice your visually-oriented customers, and allows you to expand your marketing in a creative and fun way. Learn More Still hungry for more information? Here are links to two articles that may help. The first is in the Sprout Social Blog, and calls itself the “Instagram for Business Complete Guide”. The second is in Entrepreneur, called “Why Your Business Should Establish an Instagram Presence ASAP” Businesses are becoming wise to the fact that social media is a big part of today’s marketing. Facebook and LinkedIn have offered excellent platforms to connect, network and offer information. However, businesses that have learned to harness the power of 140 characters find immeasurable success on Twitter. And while that seems appealing, there is also an art to using this action-packed platform. Creating a brand and campaign that can be heard within all of the endless noise takes thought and a little bit of know-how. Here are five things about Twitter you need to know before sitting down to Tweet.
1. Your Profile Counts: The minute you sign up for Twitter, it’s time to extend your company brand to the home page. Personalize what people will see when they visit your profile. If you’re just another bland color and picture, you won’t become recognizable. Whatever you use to establish your brand, make it approachable, appealing and be sure that it represents the goods or services you offer. Hint: Research what others have done and what stands out successfully in a positive way. 2. Engage: Let’s say you see a less than positive note about your business. Use Twitter as a way to show your stellar customer service skills. Customers want to be heard and acknowledged. Twitter isn’t just about promoting what you do, but also an opportunity to masterfully offer elite customer support. It doesn’t hurt to thank people for five-star reviews, either. 3. You can Find Leads and Meet Other People in your Industry: Do you sell garden tools? Follow gardeners, gardening book authors and landscapers. The key is to build a network of people interested in your industry, including other like-minded businesses. Another key to making this aspect of Twitter work is to respond to others. Don’t miss opportunities to engage by ignoring your account. 4. It’s a Great Place to Show Your Casual Side: No one wants to see promotion, product, services..ad nauseum. Use Twitter to show what else your company does. Do you bring dogs to work? Volunteer? Go bowling as a company? Just be human. Remember: don’t sell; educate. 5. Connect your Social Media: Twitter is an excellent tie-in to other social media accounts. Tweet links to informative and helpful blog posts, announce Facebook giveaways or send customers to your latest how-to video. It’s ideal for showing people everything you have to offer. Many businesses never expected that the internet would become the place to connect with customers and engage them. However, the past decade has proven that the landscape of marketing has changed. Other than the few pioneers that heartily hopped on board, the rest of the business world has trudged semi-willingly along. They’ve conceded that having an online presence is just about mandatory, and that it is something that requires more than a few seconds of thought.
Establishing a presence is only the beginning. To use branding, online marketing and social media engagement to its fullest you have to map out a master plan—and adjust it when necessary. Content is king—it’s true—but many other platforms and tools are essential as well. They become the queen, castles, knights and bishops of the marketing chessboard. All the players and components must work together to optimize your overall strategy. Where Video Fits In Adults that are online frequently are avid video users. Visual content is an excellent opportunity for businesses to find a captivated audience. For a lot of businesses, the question is: What types of videos or visual content should I be creating? It’s a question that often deters people from attempting to use YouTube and assorted channels as one of their online marketing venues. Before ruling it out, realize it can be a strong marketing tool. Five benefits of using video include:
Ways to Use Video to Your Advantage By creating short, interesting videos you can reach a large number of leads and customers. Make sure your videos translate well to all devices: monitors, smartphones and tablets. Post your videos at peak viewing times for your audience. Design your content to target your audiences’ passions and interests. For international businesses, consider putting videos in multiple languages. It’s a brave new world in marketing, and a few calculated risks are worth the effort. Video draws your high-value audiences, making it an enticing and effective marketing tool. Want to learn more? Contact our marketing partner, Clarity Marketing: www.claritymarketingct.com As a small business owner with many roles to fill, you may be flummoxed as to how to make social media work for your business. Beyond all the hype and the hearsay, there are very straightforward strategies for using social media in a way that will bring you the most value for your time. Here is what some of the leading experts have to say on the matter.
1. Use a System According to Duct Tape Marketing, your social media marketing campaigns can and should fit into a carefully bound system. Who can keep up with a random campaign that may not be effective? When you have a system (like a content calendar), all you have to do every time you want to run a new social media campaign is plug in your specifics; timeline, goals, target demographic, etc. 2. Utilize Audio and Video Social Media Examiner is a big proponent of using audio in the form of podcasts to reach your social media audience, in addition to the now-requisite video. With a little as a 10-minute podcast every day, you can drip-feed your social media crowd your marketing messages. Audio is trending right now because people have only so much time to read. With podcasts, you can connect with your customers while they shop, drive, or exercise. 3. Use Visuals Did you know that 40% of people respond better to visuals than to text marketing? Michael Stelzner, also of Social Media Examiner, helps teach small business owners the importance of using visuals in your social media marketing. It’s easier than you think to use visuals, even if you’re not a graphic designer. Share photos, illustrations, graphs and charts to convey your marketing message on social media. 4. Keep it Fresh The American Marketing Association recommends that you keep your social media fresh. What that means is: • updating your business profile image so it’s current • adding new contacts frequently • sharing relevant current events and stories in the news • regularly following other businesses that may benefit your customers 5. Use Viral Headlines There is definitely a pattern when it comes to viral headlines. The pattern changes as trends change, so we won’t share any here, but Marketing Profs suggests doing your own research to find out what the viral headlines are in your industry. Follow these five suggestions about using a system, utilizing audio, using visuals, keeping it fresh and using viral headlines, and your small business social media marketing will reflect your efforts. Want to learn more? Contact our partner, Clarity Marketing at 860.658.4361, or www.claritymarketingct.com According to Pew research, “fully 72% of online American adults use Facebook”[1]. With Facebook usage at such a high rate, it is almost a foregone conclusion that at least some of the audience for your goods and services spend time – and can be found – there. Reaching them via Facebook advertising is the topic du jour.
In the publication from Hubspot[2], “The Essential Guide to Social Media Advertising”, Facebook is highlighted as an incredibly powerful - and important - channel to advertise on. Summarized for you are:
Ad Types:
Although not the simplest interface, advertising on Facebook is none-the-less fairly easy to set up. Selecting the right images and copy are absolutely critical, as is the audience selection and demographics. Don’t be afraid to experiment, or to call in an agency for help! [1] Pew Research Center: http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/08/19/the-demographics-of-social-media-users/ [2] Hubspot: The Essential Guide to Social Media Advertising World population: 7.3 billion. Active internet users: 3 billion. Percentage of adults that use the internet: 85%. Percentage of internet users that use Facebook: 72%. Do these statistics matter? (Pew Research).
If your business is trying to reach customers and prospects - and drive sales – then, yes, they do matter. No doubt you’ve heard – and seen – the transition towards social media by many businesses. Your instincts say you need to participate, but your knowledge on the topic may be limited, or worse. Not to worry! We have a few tips, culled from a variety of sources – including the American Marketing Association, and Northwestern University – that can at least begin to point you in the right direction. The first order of business: what are your business goals for this year, and beyond? If you haven’t quantified them, you are hereby banished from this blog until you have done so! (It is extremely difficult to know if the road you are on is the correct one if you haven’t set your destination). With your goals set, you now need to answer some key questions: what are your target markets for your goods and services? What are their key demographics? (i.e., business owners, chief marketing officers, healthcare market – you get the picture). There is a generally accepted statistic that in the range of 50 to 70 % of the purchase-making decision process is already completed before a business is contacted. While that statistic may vary by industry, the reality is clear: digital content for your products and services are being accessed before you get the call. Action is required. But, do you have the resources available to dedicate to engagement and responsiveness via social media, or should you outsource to an agency? Either way, your participation helps put your organization in control of digital outcomes – and that’s a good thing. Our recommendations:
Once the decision has been made to “go social”, a plan should be created to ensure consistency of content. Whether that’s done internally or with the help of an agency, one thing is clear: stick to your commitment, and expect adjustments to your plan as you move forward. |
Our BlogOn a regular basis, we'll update this space with relevant content to help you market your business. Our goal: value with each post. Categories
All
|