SOCIAL MEDIA + YOU
So you have a startup. You’ve done all the hard work and now your dreams are a reality. You have a small staff, office space, and even an office dog. Now, you just need customers.
It doesn’t take a PHD to know that a business isn’t really a business without a solid customer base. You can offer the most amazing products in the world, but if no one chooses to purchase them, they really hold no value.
How important is a strong internet presence anyways? How do you find a voice in this intricate web of websites, facebook pages and twitter accounts?
Over half the US population accesses some form of social media site everyday. With such a large market, it’s imperative that your small business find a voice in social media, and find a voice fast. How do you do that?
Do a little research and make friends
You probably had to research for your business plan. Since you’re an old pro, why not use those same techniques and apply them to your internet presence. Type your business name, product, service or key phrases relating to your company into Google. What comes up? Why not search for your brand on Twitter. If individuals are talking about your product/service, or something similar, why not follow them and begin a dialogue? Who’s to say your company isn’t exactly what they’ve been looking for?
Take advantage of your existing fans/partners
There is no one more qualified to talk about your product than your friends, existing customers, and employees. Think “word of mouth” but apply that to the internet. So, it would be something like “internet of mouth”. Ask them to retweet you, ‘like’ and recommend you on facebook, create hype on google+, etc. Don’t be ashamed to tap into your existing resources, they will be your greatest advocates (and it’s free marketing).
Make sharing fool proof
You may hesitate to be repetitive when it comes to your social media, but I believe it never hurts to remind people where they can find you. Share your twitter account on your facebook page, and share your facebook page on your twitter account. Provide links to your social media sites in your e-mails. Make signing up for your newsletter as easy as 1…2…3…
For example: If you use MailChimp as your primary e-mail client they offer a great e-mail signup app for your facebook page. Just link up their tab to your page and your ‘likers’ will have instant access to your newsletter.
Strive for 50 advocates over 500 ‘fans’
It’s easy to strive for numbers. It’s impressive when a facebook page has 100,000 fans, or when a twitter account has 400,000 followers… but what does that really do for your business? Your number one goal for your social media accounts should be to create a place for advocates to help spread the word about your business. So, say you have 1,000 fans and they all love your business, and they all say great things about you all the time, over time you’ll have not only tons of followers, but a really loyal base to back you up. On the other hand, maybe you have 100,000 ‘fans’… they know about your business, they gobble up your special offers, but when push comes to shove they don’t do their part to advocate for you. Strive for loyal advocates, not just fans.
Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day
Social media integration takes time. It’s easy for a brand like Coca Cola to gain followers by the 100,000’s in a matter of days because they are a globally recognized brand that’s been around for years. You just started a few months ago, it’s okay if you don’t break records. It’s even ok if it takes you awhile to build a strong social media backing. The internet is full of stuff, your brand might just take awhile to find it’s voice.
Be creative and create a consistent voice
It’s important that all of your social media sites speak the same language and promote the same values. I suggest starting from your mission statement, and then look at your company goals and values. If those 3 things are consistent and made apparent on your website and social media sites, you have nothing to worry about. You won’t gain your customer’s trust if your facebook says one thing and your website says another. Consistency is key. AND don’t be afraid to take chances… what’s the worst that could happen? It doesn’t work? Oh well, pick yourself up and try your next crazy idea. Eventually something will work.
Above all, have fun
Social media is awesome because it allows you to communicate with your customers in a way no one has had the chance to before. Instant communication is one of twitter and facebook’s biggest appeal for businesses. It gives your customers a chance to see what your company is made of, and feel like they are connected on a more personal level. My motto isn’t “all work and no play” … I think it’s okay to break up the serious business talk with a little light hearted humor. I’m always more inclined to buy from or use a service from a company who has a good sense of humor.
Bottom line: do your homework, make some friends, have patience, be creative and live a little. If you follow those simple rules you should be booming in the social media world in no time!
Do you have a startup social media success story?
Social media is great for business. It provides customers with up-to-date information about the company, encourages interaction between the business and it’s faithful followers, and hopefully boosts sales/business.
But social media is also good for something else - you.
I’ve spent years on social media. I’ve seen the positive influence it can have for a business in a professional setting. But I’ve also seen what it can do for me, personally.
- Facebook may seem invasive - but it gives you the opportunity to share valuable personal information that your family and friends will see in real time. For example: I got engaged at the end of November. Within moments of the actual proposal my friends and family knew I was engaged and I didn’t have to do anything more than post it to my Facebook (and Instagram and Twitter and check-in to “Engagement Site” on Foursquare). But, are you picking up what I’m putting down? 500 of my closest friends and family got to share in my special moment as it happened, with minimal work on my end.
- Like it or not, you probably stay better connected with your “far away” friends because of these sites. Most people don’t like to admit that the majority of things they know about their friends comes from social media. I can’t tell you how many parties or family functions I’ve been to and heard a conversation that went like this: Person A: “So last week I met up with John and we ate at In n…” Person B: “Oh ya, I saw that on Facebook. You had a burger and loved it!” Likewise, if you live in America and your friend lives in Europe, you probably keep up with each other via Facebook posts and chats. There’s nothing wrong with utilizing social media as one of your main communication tools. Phone calls are good, but if you can’t call, Facebook isn’t a bad second choice.
- Your family feels more connected to you because Facebook keeps them in the loop. If you don’t live at home anymore, or even if you do… if you are “friends” with your family, you are keeping them happy. Don’t get me wrong, hanging with your family in person is the best way to go, BUT social media allows you to keep your family in the loop without having to talk to them every day. You keep them happy and updated, and maybe you’ll get out of some of those family dinners.
- Social media can help build your reputation up for potential employers. If you think your employer hasn’t checked you out on your social media sites, then you’re out of the loop. One of first things employers do now is plug your name in the nearest search engine - if your social media sites show up and are public, they are going to look at them. It has nothing to do with invading privacy, and everything to do with trying to figure you out on a more personal level. Use your Facebook, Twitter, Blog and Google+ to help build up your character. Be yourself, but give your future (or current) employers, a reason to hire you (or keep you around).
- Social media can be your friend, and help you find some too. The online dating market has skyrocketed in success rates over the last few years. Thousands of people are meeting each other online, going on dates, and getting married. Don’t discount the potential for future friends or even a spouse through a social media site. I’ve made Twitter friends that became real-life friends. The power of communication through social media is real, and if you keep an open mind, you may find some of your closest friends on there.
Whether you use social media to keep your family up to date, as a tool for business, or just something you play around with, remember that it can help define for others who you are. Let social media be personal, it might surprise you where it will take you.
Researchers and bloggers and social media(ers) have tried to measure the best times to post on blogs, and Twitter and Facebook. Why?
It’s important to know when you are most effective on your social media sites. If you want people to see your posts, you should submit them when the greatest number of individuals will see them.
Most studies show that posting before 8am and after 5pm will generate the most viewers per post. Twitter and blogs are easier to measure. How do you measure when to post on Facebook? How frequently should you post, and what’s the best time of day?
Jeff Widman found the answer to that question: “Post whenever the most recent status update for your page stops showing up in your fans’ News Feeds.”
How do you know when that happens?
Each post on Facebook is unique. Links and pictures may have a longer lifespan than status updates, and vice versa. You need to calculate the behaviors of posts and come up with an average for each category: photos, videos, links and updates.
Here is his suggestion:
This method should give you a pretty good idea of how long your posts last in your follower’s news feed and when your followers are most active. Once you’ve collected the data, feel free to experiment a bit to see what works best for you or your company. Lastly, form a method, if you can calculate the most popular time to post, always post on that day of the week or that time of day. If comments and impressions begin to drop off, re-calculate and try again.
