Phillip Davis, our Branding and Naming Expert
For most savvy marketers, social media has grown from a curiosity to a vital component of their online strategy. According to a survey conducted by Regus, nearly 50 percent of U.S. based businesses use some form of social media to connect with existing and potential customers. But is having a mere presence on social media the same as having a voice? The simple answer is "No!"
Having a presence is like sitting in the corner at a cocktail party and observing the crowd. Sure, you can say you were there, but you will have had little to no impact on the conversation. And it's not just a matter of Tweeting out volumes of words either. Your brand message must communicate authentically and consistently to be effective, to warrant a share of the discussion, to make a lasting impression. To ensure your online success, it's important to follow these common sense guidelines.
1. Determine your objectives
Before engaging in social media, first determine your goals. Are you trying to inform? Inspire? Educate others about your industry? Announce job openings? Blast a sales special? All of the above? It's important to think before you speak, to develop an overarching goal that you want your social media to serve. In most cases, using it as a sales tool to announce discounts will do little or nothing to advance your company's brand image, and even less to endear yourself in the eyes of potential customers. So think about your motivation for being online, and stay true to that goal.
Read Phillip's entire article Does Your Brand Have a Voice in Social Media? 5 Ways to Online Success
Comments