Social networking sites like Facebook are not just for kids anymore.
Pretty much all major businesses that are up-to-date with the latest trends have come to understand that Facebook is an extremely powerful marketing tool for both branding and interaction with prospective customers (i.
e.
fans).
There are so many different strategies you can use in your social marketing strategy to try to breed success; however, here are a few helpful tips that have seen great benefits when employed.
Be Risky Stop playing by the book.
If you're one of those people who read every article and blog post out there looking for an exact formula to use on Facebook, you'll lose, and you'll lose sorely.
Social marketing is all about being risky and trying out new strategies all the time.
If you've never seen it done before, don't be scared to be the first one to try it.
Make sure you're creative in all your endeavors when it comes to social marketing.
Be Personal This can be a tricky thing to balance, especially if you're not trying to brand an individual (i.
e.
Robert Kiyosaki, Donald Trump, etc.
).
If you're trying to brand yourself as an individual, you can get away with putting up tons of personal information, person status updates (i.
e.
"Heading to lunch with Mom"), and personal photos.
If you're branding a large corporation or a small to mid-size business, you have to be able to balance relevant content and personal information.
Don't be afraid to put up personal photos and the occasional personal status, because people want that personalized touch.
They want to see the faces behind the company.
Just be wary to not go overboard.
Q&A Questions and answers in social marketing is always a winning strategy.
The very concept evokes interaction at the highest level.
If you provide services that many people have questions about (i.
e.
computer repair), then put up helpful content and answers to frequently asked questions.
Then, ask your customers questions.
How can we better serve you? What are some of your biggest obstacles with 'X'? Again, not only does this promote interaction, but it can also be a strategy for you to better you business through customer surveys.
Video People love videos.
That's the plain and simple truth of it.
There's something great about watching somebody explain something or talk, rather than reading it.
If you have the means (and you should - video production can be done for next to nothing...
if you've got $100 in your marketing budget, it can be done), then post videos like there's no tomorrow.