No More Excuses! Make Social Media Work for You

I LOVE social media. In fact, I log several HOURS per day on various social media networking sites. Granted, most of that time is for my clients. I figure it’s a good thing when you can turn something you are knowledgeable and passionate about into a service, which is why I decided to be a social media marketer, managing the social media profiles for clients.

Over the last couple of years I’ve heard all kinds of excuses from clients with regards to why they have decided to cut back on their social media marketing efforts. Here are just a few:

1. It doesn’t work for me!
2. I’ve seen no real increase in traffic to my website.
3. It takes too much time.
4. Facebook is just a place where people goof off and ‘act’ like they are working.

Social media is not a quick fix. Consider the fact that people are literally bombarded with hundreds of ‘buy now’ messages constantly – and that’s BEFORE we enter the buying season of Trick-or-Treat, Gobble-Gobble and Merry Christmas!

Consider all the fan pages you like on Facebook. Of the truly successful fan pages with loads of active followers (who like and comment on posts) how frequently are they posting “buy my stuff” updates and links? How much more often are they creating a relationship with their audience and interacting?

Social media marketing is social. It’s not posting then running off. It’s interacting and getting to know your audience, creating relationships with them and adding value to their life through your posts. A single post is not going to drive traffic to your website UNLESS you have already built up a relationship with your audience.

Here are a few tips on improving your social media marketing efforts:

1. Post frequently. People don’t interact with inactive pages. There’s a fine line between posting frequently and posting way too much. While some pages post up to 10 times per day, others post no more than 2-3 times per week and still maintain an active following.
2. Post relevant information. Be careful to just post anything and everything that entertains you. Your followers are following your page or account for a reason. If your page is about cooking don’t post about the latest technology of intergalactic travel. Keep it relevant.
3. Post to add value to your audience. You do know the world is not all about you and your products and/or services, right? Often times there are articles or posts which your audience may enjoy or gain from.

So, what works for you? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pebbles Jacobo, after starting her own business working from home as a virtual assistant, found herself thoroughly intrigued and fascinated with the world of social media. Her love of of social media has grown over the years and she now offers social media marketing to her clients. What better way to feed her need as a Facebook junkie and get paid for it! Connect with Pebbles on Facebook or even on Twitter.