In today’s online world using social media in your communications strategy is not only smart business, it is necessary business (in most industries) in order to engage with your audience on their terms. Implementing a social media campaign is not, however, simply creating a Facebook page or setting up a Twitter account. Creating a social media campaign should be a well thought out and conscious decision.
As with any form of marketing or communications efforts for your business, you need to keep your brand in sharp focus, while at the same time providing valuable and interesting content that your audience will want to engage with. In other words, social media, when used properly, is a vehicle for speaking ‘with’ your audience instead of ‘at’ your audience.
A few key things to remember when implementing your social media strategy:
- Consistency is a must in how your represent your brand, so know your brand and what differentiates you from others offering similar services.
- Know your audience and why they want to engage with you, otherwise you’ll lose them.
- Content is key: it must be relevant and interesting enough to engage your audience. Don’t just bombard your audience with “buy now” messages. Provide valuable info, interesting tidbits about what you or some of your customers are doing, or ask questions and give your audience the opportunity to respond. Social media can be a great way to learn about your audience’s opinion.
- Offer value by helping to solve an issue: assisting your audience with knowledge or tools they need to solve a problem helps to build trust and respect. It also positions you as a thought leader and a resource. They may not need what you have to provide right now, but when they or a friend or colleague does, they will think of you first.
- Timing is important: your content needs to be relevant and timely, and as regular as possible.
- Don’t pretend to be something or someone you’re not. Your audience will know the difference. If you are honest, relevant, and fun to engage with, then you will develop their trust. People do business with, and recommend to others, people and businesses they trust.
Use these tips to improve your communications and customer engagement and you’ll be that much further ahead in building better business relationships and trust in your brand.