Getting Past Your Social (Media) Anxiety

You Tube GETTING PAST in YOUR SOCIAL (MEDIA) ANXIETY Social media is a powerful tool for small businesses to build brand awareness, boost web traffic and engage customers. 72*0 21*C of online adults use social media. [1] of internet time is spent on social media sites (more than any other type of site).[2] CONSUMERS ARE USING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR: >> >> Learning about other consumers' experiences Word-of-mouth Product information recommendations >> >> Sharing incentives Complimenting brands Customer service [3] CONQUERING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FEARS "I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME OR MONEY TO INVEST." [4] f >> >> 15 min/day is enough. Keep it simple. Make use of free online strategy Stick to 1 or 2 resources, like Social Media Today & blogs like Social Mouths. platforms. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY 'VOICE' SHOULD BE." %3D Be yourself! Your voice on social media should sound human, not corporate. Have a personality – and even opinions – that reflect your company's values and existing marketing strategy. [5] "I WORRY ABOUT NEGATIVE COMMENTS." >> Customer feedback, even if it's negative, is invaluable for your company's growth. Use this as your opportunity to show off your amazing customer service. [6] "I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO POST." >> >> Showcase your expertise. Curate relevant content. Start conversations. Share interesting and informative articles, Pose questions to your followers, or reply to Create content like how-to articles, Q&As with your photos and videos that relate to your industry. their comments. staff, tutorials and market reports. [7 & 8] AVOIDING NEWBIE SOCIAL BLUNDERS SOCIALIZE, DON'T ADVERTISE Think interaction, community and customer service. Avoid pressure selling and blatant self-promotion. [5] [9] QUALITY OVER QUANTITY Focus on your Don't post without goals, audience and message. purpose or across too many platforms. [10] AUTHENTICITY BEATS AUTOMATION Avoid mechanical Be personal, authentic, and approachable. and repetitive Original posts. BE UPFRONT, DON'T HESITATE Respond, listen and provide Don't conceal mistakes customer service. during crisis. STARTING POINTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES 1. SET GOALS Ask yourself: why do we 2. TARGET YOUR want to be here? To build AUDIENCE awareness? To drive in-store sales? To generate leads? [11 Reach your customers where they are. Find out which websites they visit, which platforms they use and who else they follow.121 3. DEVELOP YOUR CONTENT Listen to what others are saying and sharing to identify 4. CHECK THE your core topic area. Search for keywords, trending topics, tags, SCHEDULE groups and feeds, and create content that adds to the Schedule your posts around ongoing marketing activities. Check in regularly to conversation. 5. MEASURE respond to feedback.[13] Track key metrics like shares, follows, friends, comments, customer satisfaction and website traffic over time. Keep adapting your strategy as you learn what works and what doesn't. [10] AMERICAN EXPRESS OPEN Get the most out of your social media advertising with the Enhanced Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN and earn 2X points on U.S. purchases for advertising in select media. Terms and limitations apply. 2X applies to purchases up to $100,000 per year, then 1 point. SOURCES [1] http://pewinternet.org/Commentary/2012/March/Pew-Internet-Social-Networking-full-detail.aspx [2 http://cn.nielsen.com/documents/Nielsen-Social-Media-Report_FINAL 090911.pdf [3] http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/reports/2012/state-of-the-media-the-social-media-report-2012.html [4] https://www.openforum.com/articles/5-ways-social-media-is-killing-your-business/ [5) http://understandingmarketing.com/2009/03/13/smbiz-chat-recap/ [6] http://mashable.com/2010/10/21/twitter-small-business/ [7] http://socialmediatoday.com/ajsoltero/1252276/success-twitter-how-small-businesses [8 http://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2013/aug/29/social-media-boost-business-tips [9] http://understandingmarketing.com/2009/06/27/dos-donts-2/ [10] http://blog.marketmesuite.com/the-small-business-guide-to-social-media-mastery-infographic-2/ [11] http://socialmediatoday.com/node/1577921 [12] http://www.socialmediaex aminer.com/knowing-your-social-media-audience/ [ 13] http://www.5ocialmediaex aminer.com/how-to-setup-a-social-media-business-strategy/ THE HUFFINGTON POST visual ly