I posted this on the Epic Web Studios blog last summer, but I think it's worth revisiting. As we began to head toward the second month of the new year, it's important to remind organizations just how important social media is for their business.
-------------------------------------------------------------
6/4/2014 -- Social Media is exploding. What started out years ago as simply social networking, has turned into digital advertising, media marketing, and so much more. When Epic Web first opened its doors, it was a Web Development company that sold social media as an added package. Today, it sells Social Media as its own entity.
However, many organizations and companies face a “Social Media Anxiety” –a fear of creating a social presence for their business. Here are tips on how to alleviate your social anxiety:
1. Use Social Media as Your CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
Take the time to learn the benefits social media engagements have your business. Some fear social media, as it is a direct way to receive customer complaints and insults. They fear they will say the wrong thing and will tarnish the image they have set up for their brand.
HOWEVER, it’s imperative to humanize your brand. Just like stopping at the customer service desk in the physical world, social media users are expecting to engage with your brand and receive responses from another human being.
You would be surprised how much a person’s tone can change after a representative reaches out to them over social media.
2. Use Discovery on Platforms to Re-Strategize
As stated in a previous blog post, social media is the best marketing research tool right now. Engagements and interactions bring your customers’ needs into the light. When you are writing your strategic plan for the next quarter or year, you can base your next big move with social media’s help.
Your customers are chatting about products and brands right now all over the internet. Observe who they’re talking about and mirror that campaign as best you can with your own products/business. Analyze how other companies and organizations handle customer service and make a list of how you can do it better.
Not only will your customer’s suggestions and responses be of help to your market research, but your social media insights can help you determine who you should be selling for. Run various campaigns and see what works for your clients, and use those analytics to re-strategize.
3. Engage with Your Customers Frequently
The most important thing you can be doing on social media is actively engaging with your fan base. Whether it’s answering complaints, responding to suggestions, or plain old thanking your customers – show your customers that you appreciate their support! Chances are if you are actively engaging with them, they will encourage others to try out your business as well.
Your customer’s are your biggest promoters. Their involvement on your social media can do wonders for your business. Show your gratitude by hosting giveaways for your top fans, which in turn will bring more clients to your business. If you help them out, they are likely to help you out too.
Though it seems like an intimidating place to be, social media's benefits are really great for your business/organization. If you’re not engaging online, you are already losing potential customers. Don’t get left behind, take the plunge into social networking today.
If you’re still fearful of social media, contact Epic Web’s Social Media team. They will talk you through your digital marketing stress, and fit you to the next level of social media advertising.
Adele Stewart is a Digital Media Strategist at Epic Web Studios, a web development & strategic planning firm in Erie, PA, and Public Relations blogger. If you have questions about running a successful digital advertising campaign, contact Epic Web’s Social Media team today!
