Social media has changed the way we all interact with each other. There’s immediate access to people we could never reach before like CEOS and heads of company divisions. We have vast networks of friends and fans at our fingertips. This all helps when it comes to spreading our messages and marketing to our target audience.
More companies, are incorporating social media into their marketing and setting aside budgets for social specialists, monitoring the media, and tools.
They see that they can reach their goals to:
- Strengthen their brand
- Increase leads (clients and patients)
- Improve customer service
- Boost rankings and visibility
So, how can YOU accomplish these goals to grow your business successfully? Read on.
5 Tips to build your brand with social media
TIP 1
Goals
Before getting involved in social media, decide on which goals you are hoping to reach. Is it:
- Driving traffic to your website?
- Providing customer service?
- Boosting sales?
- Increasing visibility
- Reaching out to prospective clients/patients?
- Contacting influencers to help get your message out?
Tip 2
Find your Voice
Consider:
- The focus of your business/practice- what do you do differently that sets you apart?
- Brand identity- your social media presence should be in sync with your offline and traditional media
- Tone of voice- will you be authoritative, light and entertaining, how will you be perceived online? Different social channels dictate different tones;i.e. LinkedIn is more formal than Twitter
Tip 3
Followers
There are loads of popular social media platforms now so it is crucial to figure out which ones are best for you? There is no point in spending a lot of time and budget on sites where your clients don’t go and won’t see you.
Remember the more platforms you’re on, the more time it takes. So, choose one at first and after you have a significant presence there, you can move on to the next channel.
They’re not all suited to your needs, so determine which channels suit your company’s service and message best.
Social media monitoring tools will enable you to see where your clients/patients are talking and who’s sharing information.
Tip 4
Hire a Social Media Specialist
This new member of your team can be a part-time virtual assistant dedicated to social media or a full time integral part of your team but you can’t rely on current staff members to fill the role.
A successful media manager can build excellent rapport, communication and connections, demonstrating an acute awareness of your brand. This person is key in that he/she is the “voice” of your business.
Social managers are brand ambassadors, crisis managers, handle customer service and write content online. Empower them to take action without coming to you for permission each time.
Tip 5
Damage Control
Social media allows you to view what people are thinking of your business- good or bad. It is an effective outlet to resolve problems, answer questions, provide solutions and address complaints and bad client experiences.
Your manager will monitor online conversations and look for specific keywords.
To let a customer’s problem grow and go unresolved on a blog, Twitter or Facebook is asking for trouble. It implies that your company doesn’t care and is not listening to what clients are saying.
The goal is to be proactive and reach out to clients. The key here is to get them to come to the office and not air the problem online for others to weigh in.
When you can see a crisis brewing, reach out and offer solutions. This can turn them into brand advocates and enhance your brand’s reputation.
Note: Don’t delete negative reviews or feedback. It’s the single most underrated opportunity for reputation management online.
By deleting them, you miss the chance to turn negatives into positives, and improve your brand’s reputation by being willing to acknowledge mistakes and correct them.
Recap
Social media provides a huge potential for brand building. Most CEOs and global executives know it’s no longer a question of whether to socialize their brands but how to do it in the most effective manner. They recognize that the quality of their organizations’ online presence is a key contributor to its overall reputation and success.
Which social media sites have worked best for you? Share your experiences in the comment box below.
