The Seventh of 12 - Tips to improve business in 2014
Social Media Needs a Strategy
By Arielle Schmitt | Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, Marketing Specialist
Social media management has become an added task to existing
job titles like administrative assistant, receptionist and marketing
coordinator. to name a few.
After all of this “giving” and interacting, when it comes time for
you to promote your fundraiser or event, your “ask” will be well
received.
Social media is a never-ending endeavor. Facebook pages are
expected. Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest are not far behind.
Social media is a free tool, but the time and effort put into it can be
extensive. So define a strategy best utilizing time and building an
engaged fan base.
Tips for content hunting:
1. On Facebook, follow national brands posting original
content on your topic to find informative articles. For
business-related pages, you could take a look at Mashable or Inc.
2. Follow your local news to stay topical.
3. Set a Google notification for any keywords on your topic, so
alerts are sent directly to your inbox.
4. Follow e-cards, inspirational quotes, and days of the year for
light-hearted content.
Content structure should consist of information, interaction and
promotion. Only posting things your company has going on is a
pretty easy trench to fall into. For every self-promoting topic, find
a non-self-promoting article on a topic your fan base will find
interesting. You can also create a light-hearted post encouraging
reader-engagement. It is a rule of thirds: only talk about yourself
once every three posts.
As part of your engagement strategy, while hunting for content,
keep in mind you should give more than you ask. Be informative,
personal, funny, interesting, sincere and topical. “Giving” can mean
writing a blog about your area of interest, finding topical national
articles, staying in touch with local news on your topic, posting a
comic or e-card, or wishing readers a happy holiday. Giving can
even be wishing your employees a happy birthday, because even
though it is a post about your company, you aren’t asking your fan
base for anything.
With content streams coming to you, you won’t have to spend time
aimlessly wandering the Internet, wondering what to post.
Management tips:
1. Schedule everything you can in advance: articles, holidays
and employee birthdays.
2. Set up times of the day to interact on social media. When that
time is up, close the program.
3. Define your strategy before creating or continuing any social
media feed.
4. Adding images to your posts increases engagement. Often
vintage photos are public domain.
INDOT Luncheon
Tuesday, Aug. 5
noon to 1:30 p.m.
Elcona Country Club | 56784 CR 21, Bristol, IN
Members $20 non-members $30 | Register at Elkhart.org
Sponsored by:
Cardinal Buses | Days Distribution and Logistics | IOI | Kruggel, Lawton & Company, LLC
Marbach, Brady & Weaver | Rieth-Riley Const. Co., Inc. | Robert Weed Plywood Corp.
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