Social Media Marketing has become an important part of most online marketing campaigns here at Netmark. Its popularity has grown considerably the past five years creating a huge marketing opportunity for those who take advantage of this new form of advertising. It’s astonishing how many benefits some companies receive from social media, but we caution those considering it as part of their marketing strategy to learn how to use it effectively so that they can avoid the major pitfalls. For those who understand social media, it can be a powerful tool for both gaining and retaining clients, but at the same time, improper use can lead to dismal results and wasted money.

There are several reasons to include social media in a company’s marketing strategy, but amazingly, the most important reasons are almost always overlooked. This can be harmful to a business as it often leads to improper implementation and misguided strategies. This eventually leaves those using social media wondering why they ever started. For this reason, it’s important that those individuals considering social media as a marketing strategy first consult with a professional to see if social media marketing would be a good fit for their business. Although social media is the preferred marketing channel for most consumers, it’s not right for every business.

This is by far the biggest misconception out there. The primary marketing opportunity in social media is to engage current customers, not new customers. People often confuse the two, but they are very different from one another. Some companies have successfully used social media to attract new customers, but this usually pales in comparison to the benefits received from retaining existing customers through the same channels.

Social media actually extends far beyond Facebook. It’s true. Other social media venues include blogs, forums, and social bookmark communities just to name a few. Facebook is just a part of social media.

Really? We’ve found that social media campaigns often require traditional advertising to build popularity. Yes we said it: “traditional advertising.” That phrase hasn’t completely left our vocabulary. Traditional advertising is still effective and can significantly impact the success of a social media campaign with very little effort or cost.

The truth is that a lot of in-house work is required in social media campaigns, more than a lot of other types of advertising. Remember, successful social media marketing campaigns engage consumers across multiple channels. This engagement usually requires the participation of those who work for the company.

Social media marketing is actually a lot more than just advertising material. Most companies using social media as just an advertising platform see very little benefit. Again, effective use of this type of marketing requires community engagement. For example, some companies have used social media to increase transparency. Others have gone to great lengths to create online personalities that consumers enjoy and even tune in to.

Have Questions?

Give us a call today at 1-800-935-5133 for a free social media consultation. Social media may not be a good form of advertising for your business. Let one of our experts help you decide.