We are often asked to speak at groups and events about social media.  Everyone wants to know how to use social media effectively. 

In some ways, the answer is simple – set up correctly, know and use your keywords and then engage with your audience by posting on your chosen social media platform(s) regularly.

However, the plethora of social media networks can be overwhelming.  If you don’t use them personally it can be very daunting to use an online system that you are not familiar with.  And even if you are a regular personal user of social media, crossing the boundaries into business social communication can be difficult.  Add to this that the news media keep telling us about the negatives of social media and protecting our privacy, it’s no wonder some people struggle.

For a small-medium business owner, there are 3 choices:

a)    Do nothing and ignore social media and hope it goes away,

b)   Outsource your marketing activity in part or in full, or

c)    Learn how to use social media yourself – google for help, attend online webinars, buy online training courses, spend time in local workshops, hire someone for a one-on-one consultation, etc…

If you fall in the latter category, you may find our top 3 tips for the top social media networks useful:

Facebook

1. Make sure your Page and Posts are visually interesting
2. Ensure you use a Call to Action & have your Contact info easily accessible
3. Utilise Albums and Photo Descriptions – for topic categorisation and links back to your website

LinkedIn

1. Use a Professional Photo – if you don’t have one, get one done
2. Join Groups on LinkedIn
3. Post updates on your page and in relevant groups – this is where your own business-blog is useful

Twitter

1. Well written and clear profile description and attractive background image
2. For brand awareness, choose and ‘follow’ people strategically
3. Don’t overlook this social media platform just because you don’t like it or understand it

YouTube

1. Create your own channel, format and optimize
2. Favourite other people’s video and create your own
3. Know how to share and embed video on other platforms

Pinterest

1. Set up a business profile
2. Consider how to represent your business visually
3. Install social sharing buttons on your website

Google

1. Set up Google Places/Local profile and verify
2. Consider all other free online directories, eg. Yellow, Finda, Localist
3. Set up your Google Plus profile & Google Reviews

Good luck, happy posting.

If you need any help, give us a call.

To Market, To Market…

What do you do when you’ve got a strong business, fantastic products, great stories but no idea how to take them out to customers and prospects?  That’s the situation Nigel Russell, founder of Holistic Hair, found himself in before he met SocialMediaMgr. 

Expert hairdresser and trichologist Nigel has always been very good at using his networks to gain media coverage for his hair salon and natural product range in a variety of high profile magazines.  He had set up a Facebook platform, website and blog but knew he wasn’t using them to full potential.  In short, he was stuck with a lot of great marketing ideas and no clear way of pulling them all together.

SocialMediaMgr was originally contracted to manage Holistic Hair’s Facebook page but it soon became apparent that the business needed more than just social media support.  Kerry Ensor quickly started to co-ordinate Holistic Hair’s overall marketing approach.

Stepping back to objectively examine the strengths of any business is hard to achieve for most owner managers.  So, after building a new e-commerce website for Holistic Hair to improve direct sales and revamping Nigel’s existing Facebook and LinkedIn platforms, Kerry started to work on developing a clear marketing focus for the business.

Holistic Hair’s website, blog, social media platforms (including Pinterest) and video marketing were integrated and used to communicate clear messages into specific segments of the market.  The SMMgr team was soon writing targeted e-newsletters and developing consumer promotions across multiple platforms to reach customers.

Facebook advertising was used in a geographically targeted way to break into the Australian market to increase interest and raise brand awareness over the Tasman.  ‘How to’ style video clips on hairstyling were also produced to raise Nigel Russell’s profile as a leading hair stylist and promote his products.

All this activity soon started to pay off in tangible results.

The Results

Holistic Hair now has an on-going marketing presence both on- and off-line supported by a well-understood communications strategy.

Over a period of six months the results are clear.  Revenue from website sales has increased, as has organic SEO and website traffic.  Holistic Hair now regularly communicates with and engages a growing network of customers and prospects.

“I have found SMMgr very helpful in organising my media campaigns,” said Nigel Russell.  “I have many, many ideas which I used to find difficult to pull together.  Kerry is able to listen, assess whether an idea is worth pursuing or not – then she creates a plan to put it into action.

“I now have a thriving ongoing marketing presence.  My internet traffic and resulting business has increased and most all my life has been made easier.  The SMMgr team is accommodating, focused and offer a value for money service.  Their networks of video, photography and design support are fantastic.  Overall, SMMgr offers a truly integrated approach to marketing.”

What did SMMgr do for Holistic Hair?

• Website redevelopment with in-built shopping cart
• Facebook revamp
• LinkedIn revamp
• Pinterest set up
• Video Marketing
• Customer Testimonials
• Consumer Promotions
• Referral Marketing
• Facebook Advertising
• Publicity and cross-promotion
• Content marketing (Blog articles)
• Direct marketing (regular e-newsletters)
• Social Media management (posting and engagement)

Contact us to find out how your business can benefit from an integrated marketing approach?

Most businesses know they should be using social media and online marketing as part of their business communications strategy.  Some aren’t sure what approach to take and jump right in without much planning.  A sense of frustration and boredom quickly sets in as these businesses struggle to understand why their efforts are not turning into better customer relations and increased sales.  Does that sound familiar?  It does to us…

SocialMediaMgr started out focusing purely on social media platforms at a time when SM marketing first hit New Zealand businesses.  We quickly realised that social media marketing couldn’t deliver to its potential in isolation.

Integrated on- and offline marketing is now our mantra.  We deliver strategies and campaigns that include social media – indeed, they are sometimes led by social media – but we don’t rely on any one tool to deliver the entire solution.  Time and again we see that best results are achieved with regular and consistent activity across all relevant marketing platforms.

We’ve developed a ten-step process to help businesses understand how to set up their social media platforms as an integrated part of their sales and marketing strategy:

1. Figure out your specific communication objectives, key messages and target markets
2. Choose your networking platform/s to suit – don’t feel like you have to do them all
3. Ensure your website does its job – figure out what you need it to do for your business and go from there
4. Create on-going content for your blog that is relevant, engaging and adds value to your customers.  A blog is an online magazine that (if done correctly) will drive traffic to your website, use it wisely.
5. If you have nothing to say – say nothing.  Email newsletters are important but they must add value.  Set up and maintain your database and schedule in regular newsletters (quarterly is often enough in many industries)
6. Grow your audience across your social media networks using content marketing, promotions and online cross-networking.  Be realistic about the level of uptake you expect (consumer pages tend to get much more Likes than B2B).  Consider quality vs quantity when setting goals.
7. Engage with your audience – offer regular, personable and valuable content.  A mix of curated and original works best.
8. Link back your website and/or your blog – always drive traffic to your business hub
9. Cross-promote and interact – form a network, create a newsfeed, don’t just ‘sell’
10. Remember that everything is public – protect your privacy