Justin Franklin, MTC Online Engagement Specialist provides four tips to help your company avoid making social media marketing mistakes.

It’s the fast-changing nature of social media that makes it both intimidating and enlightening. On one hand, its fast pace is revolutionizing the way companies communicate with their customers, on the other, that speed is leaving some companies in the dust. From constantly blasting sales messages to preventing your fans from commenting, your social media efforts could be backfiring! The whole point of social media is to engage in conversation; to build a community. So, how do you make sure it doesn’t go horribly wrong?

1. Keep it Social.  Maybe your posts just aren’t very interesting (or even worse, maybe they’re too interesting, but we’ll get to that in a minute). The trick is to post engaging content that promotes interaction. Give consumers information they find useful, relevant or just fun. Why? Because popular Facebook posts stay on the news feed longer. The more users update and engage with your posts, the more likely that content will appear on their news feeds.
2. Don’t Be a  Show Off.  Videos and photos and contests and apps… the possibilities of innovative content are endless. But maybe you’re putting your customers in media overload? You don’t have to be a show off – even simple status updates requesting input, stories, or ideas work great. They might even bring a better response rate than that big promotional video you just posted.
3. Sometimes a Little Flash Can Help.  Feel your posting is getting a little boring or need new ways to engage your followers? Big brand companies create cool games and search features – Why can’t you do the same? Those cool tools created for your website can also be developed for your Facebook page: Search Features, Customer Support, Specials, Community Forums, and more. More web development not in the budget? Just try linking from your Facebook page to your website, and see the response you get!
4. Get Out There!  Build it and they will come might have worked for Kevin Costner in “Field of Dreams” but for your Facebook page…not so much. You need to promote your social media accounts. By including share and “Like” buttons on your website and in your traditional media, you could increase your exposure 100 times! With the average Facebook user having 130 friends, every time your status is shared or blog post is “liked” – you’re being shared with that person’s 130 friends!

Social media doesn’t have to be intimidating. Develop a plan or calendar for posting, mine customer feedback from your social communities to better understand their needs and inform your content, use Google’s Analytics, Facebook Insights, and HootSuite’s analytics to gauge what is working and what is not. Try and try again.

And if that doesn’t work? Contact MTC at 301-974-6030. We’d love to work with you to develop an effective, integrated solution that addresses your company’s specific challenges.