An experienced social media marketer would understand that social media isn’t a quick solution to any business. In fact, a marketer shouldn’t be too disappointed if ROI isn’t satisfactory even after a year of implementation.
Social media marketing is like running a marathon, the longer you run, the more satisfaction you gain. It’s a slow build up, but patience and love can turn social media into your business’s most valuable asset.
$X could be spent on running TV commercials or print ads. However, their impact is often short-lived – most businesses experience cyclical rise and fall in sales after launching campaigns driven by traditional inputs. Even with promising ROI, limited budget makes these campaigns unsustainable. There must be a solution to fill up the gaps, and social media could very well be the answer.
Most Engaging Brands
Now, think about the list of most engaging brands on Twitter and Facebook. Their social media success is built upon hard work and dedication (most of them, at least). Along with a good product, building relationships one conversation at a time helps word of mouth do its work.
Small Businesses Included
Social media isn’t only just for the big brands. Small businesses like Emerson Salon, Wiggly Wigglers, and Moonfruit, have all enjoyed success. Social media works for small businesses precisely because time and dedication compensate for the lack of budget, which is limited in most SMBs. @HumphrySlocombe, an ice cream shop in San Francisco, is a great example of an engaging small business. It has more followers than any of the big ice cream brands on Twitter.
Value Increases With Time
Once liked, always like (Most of the time, at least).
As time passes, and relationships with connected consumers strengthen, your business’s online presence can only grow. Be it five, ten or fifteen years, your Facebook and Twitter pages are here to stay. Before you know it, social media has become your business’s most valuable asset. Thoughts, anyone?
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Yes social media isn’t a quick solution to any business. Thanks for the information.
Very useful, thanks for sharing! There are a few of these I didn’t know about, but will definitely check them out!
Hi Michelle. Yes, it can be frustrating and many people expect social media to be a silver bullet. It obviously isn't. Nothing is free. work your way up. keep it naturally, enjoy the social networking process and humanize the brand along the way. There are so much to say but I'll just keep it short here. Thanks!
Hi Steve. thanks for your insights. Social media isn't everything. The media is secondary. Goals and strategy come first, followed by the choice of media.
Success on social media doesn't come easy. Often, experience marketers fail because they use it in a traditional approach. The traditional approach is all about “me, me and me”. Social media requires a business to build relationships. And a relationship is between you and me. It's a dialogue, not a monologue. Those who understand this simple fact often enjoy greater success. Sadly not many people do. Just my 5 cent worth.
I think waiting for results is the hardest part. Since there is so much real-time interaction in social media, you expect to see a change quickly, and it can be frustrating when that doesn't happen.
Willlis;
Sorry, if you thought I was directing it directly to you. Over the past five years I have done Social Networking myself jumping into the HYPE not the reality. Now let me say that Social Networking works GREAT for sales people in specific industries. For example carpet cleaners, cosmetic reps, and insurance people. Like you said ROI just isn't there even if you, like me take charts, graphs, samples, portfolios etc. The amount of time I personally spent over this period of time resulted in a $50. re-design of a direct mail postcard.
Did I base all my research on just my own experience? Absolutely not over the last couple of years I started asking, at the several meeting I attended a week, have you experienced a huge increase in sales or customer loyalty form Social Networking the results 6 people out of 135 said yes. Now as a branding professional and years of marketing experience and a track record to prove it, I came to the conclusion the only people getting wealthy on this are the ones selling the books and tapes on how to do it right. Now when you look at Twitter and Facebook, etc. Corporation like Pizza Hut had the right approach, hire a college grad fresh out of school to do this new ADD ON marketing. I have seen too many small companies abandon, due to revenues as well drop all other marketing efforts in an effort to cut marketing cost and do this type of marketing? The results have been devastating for most.
hi steve. which part of the article did i say social media is the best marketing tool?
This is BS for the most part. If social networking is the best marketing tool for business's we're all in trouble.
hi Marc! thanks, glad you like it. Read the first post and loving the simple but crucial tips – Listen, engage, respond. thanks for sharing.
Willis. Reality “Pep talks” like yours are very necessary in Social Media. There is a pervasive level of fear shared by many small business owners, regarding the practicality of using Social Media to grow and nurture their customer base. The fear causes paralysis and the paralysis causes delay in gratification through results. It is very sad and unnecessary for this to be taking place, since Social Media needs a head start to get rolling. I often write about this on my own blog at http://www.icanewfriend.com/blog. You have done well with the topic, here.