Are you making crucial social media marketing mistakes? While social media has become increasingly relevant in terms of marketing, many companies still struggle with establishing effective social media marketing campaigns. In fact, according to a report published by Brian Solis, a principal with the research firm Altimeter Group, less than 20% of companies have a fully mature social media strategy. With 255 million users now actively taking advantage of Twitter, as reported recently by Search Engine Journal, the potential reach of social media marketing simply cannot be ignored.
What should you do to develop a mature social media marketing campaign?
1. Leverage the power of multiple platforms. Keep in mind that Twitter is not the only platform in the game. Do not forget to tap into the power and reach of other important social media platforms, including:
- Youtube
- Google Plus
- Linkedln
- Tumblr
Ensure that each platform you use is optimized for visibility and link all of your accounts together to enhance the reach of your social media marketing campaign.
2. Make sure that generosity plays a role in your social media campaign. The goal of any such campaign is to gain likes and follows, thus enhancing the visibility of your brand, but remember that it is a two-way street. Pay it forward! Also, take advantage of the opportunity to share industry news and updates. Finally, remember to say ‘thank-you’ to your fans and followers.
3. Don’t be shy about using images. Did you know that using an image can boost engagement by 200%? This does not necessarily mean that you need to include an image for every social media post that you publish, but when you want to draw particular attention to a message, an image can help you to do it.
4. Finally, make sure you are taking full advantage of the use of hashtags. These handy little tools make it much easier to benefit from trending topics, so do not ignore them. By adding hashtags, you ensure that your posts are seen by your followers as well as anyone else who is following that hashtag. The key is to use hashtags in a strategic manner to ensure you find your target audience. Sprout Social recommends using Hashtags.org to search for hashtags based on trending popularity.
Developing a comprehensive social media marketing campaign requires time, patience, and a commitment to staying on top of emerging trends.