Social media is a modern phenomena that is here to stay. These sites help people connect with news, issues, and relationships that are important to them. It also helps businesses connect with potential leads and current customers.
Here are our answers to five of the top questions we get regarding social media marketing for businesses:
1. Which social media sites should I use?
There are a host of social media sites available on the internet. Some are new and trending, others are consistent and stable, and others may be outdated and flailing. The latter category should be steered clear of, while the first two are the most relevant. Social media site popularity also varies by country, so evaluation of your target audience is a key not to be missed.
More details on this important topic are explained in our guide “How to Determine the Best Social Media Sites for Your Business.”
2. Will social media marketing benefit my B2B company?
Many business to business (B2B) companies wonder if social media is useful for their model. The answer is, “Yes!” Marketers around the globe have found the B2B social media campaigns are a very successful portion of their marketing efforts.
If you’re not convinced, start with just one social media site for your business — Facebook and LinkedIn are often the best contenders for B2B engagement. Then post regularly on that site, being sure to follow best practices. Monitor your analytics within that site and monitor referrals to your website for the next 6-12 months. Study the results and decide if you want to add more social media sites to your marketing efforts.
3. Can I hire someone else to manage my business social sites?
Yes! Many sites are making it easier and easier to allow an outside manager to have varying degrees of control over your business profile. This way you can choose what he/she can or can’t do on your behalf. You may assign an internal employee or two to the task, or you may hire an outside team who specializes in social media content management.
4. What do I post on my social media page?
Links to your website and blog posts, photos of business facilities and employees, information about products or services, and re-sharing other company’s posts are just a few of the items you may post on a social media business page. Infographics tend to get a lot of likes and shares — these are considered a social media must for today’s modern business.
5. What are the rules regarding photos shared on social sites?
In the United States, it is generally permissible to photograph people of any age who are on public grounds. However, publishing these photos is where the law can get a bit murky. If the photo is used for advertising, then consent of the person must be given via a signed model release. Nudity is almost always a no-no, and defamatory comments posted as photo captions or headlines can also pose serious legal consequences.
Now it gets even more specific when you want to publish a photo to a social site. Each social site has their own rules about what can be shared. Be sure to read up on each site’s terms and conditions if you’re not sure about an image you want to share.
Start in Baby Steps
If you’re new to social media, it may be best to start in baby steps. After a bit of research, create a business profile on just one or two well-selected social sites. Add more as you become more familiar with the types of content your audience is looking for, as well as how to reach that audience. Don’t try to become a pro at all social sites at once. You’ll be overwhelmed and burnt out in a week!
You may also want to hire a professional social media manager to get the maximum benefit of social media marketing.
For more information on how we can help your business with it’s social media needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Please call us direct at (805) 482-8312, or, email us at info@socialspicemedia.com for a one-on-one consultation at our office located in Camarillo. You can always link up with us on your favorite social media channel–we’d love to stay connected!
