Social Media Marketing

Social media refers to a Web-based movement of socialization and engagement. It’s all about engaging friends, sharing content and interacting in a way that wasn’t possible before the first social networks became popular. Until recently, social media was more about interacting and sharing with friends and family members online. But now businesses have found a way to fit into the movement, and as a result it’s become just as easy for businesses and customers to engage and share with each other as it is for friends and family.

There are several ways that businesses can benefit from social media. Engaging customers in the natural places they hang out online is just one. Businesses can also use social media to collect important information about the habits, wants and needs of customers. They can offer discounts and specials to the most active customers in their communities. They can benefit from the reviews of real people. Businesses can even research and gain additional partners and employees using social media. The possibilities are only limited by a business’ creativity and imagination.

Customers interact with brands using social media in a variety of ways. They comment on products, services, deals, programs, photos and videos. Some customers enjoy participating in polls and surveys, or taking quizzes. Others share photos of products they’ve purchased from certain brands. Some choose to give reviews and recommendations to their friends. And a newer but extremely popular interaction is the act of “checking in” at a location so that friends and family know where they are and what they’re doing. All of these actions and interactions can further a business’ brand and marketing message in a more realistic and influential way than what advertising alone can do.

That really depends on your goals and how you plan to use social media for your business. One rule we try to follow, and suggest to our clients, is that quality is much more important than quantity. The main thing to focus on is locating social networks that are directly in line with your goals, and that play host to your target markets. There’s no set number of social networks we recommend that you join. Just remember not to spread yourself or your resources thin, and to only choose networks that can put you in front of your target markets and that can further your goals.

Again, this depends on your goals. As we mentioned earlier, you should only join social networks that cater to or host your target markets, and that will further your goals. In order to determine which social networks will meet your needs, you must research each network, its general audience, its features and other specifics. Or, you can let us help! Just contact us to schedule a consultation and we’ll help you sort out your needs and locate the best networks to meet those needs.

There are several social networks that are great for business in general. LinkedIn, though an older player in the world of social media, is still one of the best networks for interacting with serious, educated, executive-level professionals. There are also other networks such as Fast Pitch, Biznik and inSider Networx (which boast a network for nearly every area code in the US). Facebook has also become very useful for businesses, and there are tons of others. Our social media consultation and services, along with our Social Media for Businesses Office Ed session can help you learn more about the best social networks for business so that the list isn’t so overwhelming!

A few years ago when social media first began gaining popularity in the business world, many thought it would be a fad that would fade with time. However, consumers and Web users have embraced social media wholeheartedly – and that means businesses must also if they want to remain competitive. Because of its ever-evolving nature, it’s unlikely that social media will fade into obscurity any time soon. Instead, it’s more likely to continue changing and evolving as technology and the needs and wants of consumers change.

So is social media a fad? Our answer is no. In fact, it has become one of the most necessary tools and platforms for businesses of all sizes and industries. You’d better believe your competition is there, so you’d better be too.

Yes, we do. In addition to our basic social media packages listed on this page, we also offer a more in-depth Facebook marketing package. With our basic social media packages, we only scratch the surface of all that’s possible with Facebook. With our Facebook marketing package, we go deeper into every aspect of marketing a business and building a community of active users on Facebook. To learn more, click here.

Through our Office Ed Lunch & Learn program, we also offer training on social media for businesses. Office Ed training can transform your lunch hour into a fun and info-packed hour of learning – complete with catered lunch! To learn more, click here.