Business-Building Action from Terry Brock
I recently asked several people in my community “If you could have a 15 minute discussion over coffee with me, what question(s) would you like to ask?” The results were amazing. One that came through from many was, “How can I do social media and marketing when I’m swamped and don’t have a lot of money or time to waste on what doesn’t work?” The process depends on many variables including what you do in business, what you are most likely to need, your resource limitations (time, money, energy) and other factors.
You can make a lot of good progress using social media and following these steps:
Number 1 Define Your Goals
What is it that you want to accomplish with your social media work? Do you want increased sales? That is usually what drives a business. But, let’s get deeper than that. How do your customers make decisions to hire you or your competitor? What factors influence them? How can you be positioned favorably to be better off?
Social media is often the start of a journey for the customer rather than the full reason they get involved with you. Because people live in social media today (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.) you need to live there. You have to be where you customers are. For many today that is online and in social media. If that is where your customers and prospects live, that is where you need to live.
Number 2 Ask questions and listen
The biggest problems I have seen, and many other social media experts agree with me on this, is that brands treat social media as just another way to “blast” (yes, that’s the word some use) a message to people. They still don’t get that social media is about interaction, engagement, and involvement rather that “blasting” a message out to people.
Social media is not like a message sent on TV, radio or some print model. Those who do social media best are those who get that it is about engaging with others, listening to them, and then responding with relevant, pertinent information in a dialogue, not a monologue.
Number 3 Provide Content Customers Value
We want someone to help us solve problems. We want someone to help make our lives better. Think of ways you can use the wonders of print, video, audio and more to deliver content people want. The tools today are better than ever before for quality and low cost. We are using low-cost and highly effective video, audio and social media posts for clients to help them generate interest and business. Find what works for you and use it.
Number 4 Develop a System To Handle Your Messages and Communication
We work with our clients today to help craft a unique message for them based on their expertise. We also develop a system so that their message can go out the optimal number of times with relevant information to generate business. Use tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, Google Docs and more, You need a system so you know what to do on various days of the week and how often to implement them. It matters how many tweets and posts you send, when to send them and how to measure their results.
Number 5 Continue to Learn and Modify As This Fast-Changing Market Adjusts
Fast is built into the DNA of the system today. You must move fast to even stay current, let alone to get ahead. Yet, you can’t be frenetic and waste valuable time, money, and energy. This is where continued learning and even fast learning comes into play. Learn how to learn fast. Stay in tune with what matters.
These are some of the steps that we use to help clients. You can use these steps to craft your own systems that work in your unique situation. The world can be your oyster in social media —- if you know where to look and find those oysters.
Perhaps we can help you. If you’re ready to change your social media and marketing approach get in touch and let’s see if there is a way we can work with you. By deploying social media right, you can achieve the goals you want in your business and your life.
All the best,
Terry
Terry Brock, MBA, CSP, CPAE
www.TerryBrock.com
Connect with me on Social Media
Twitter – @TerryBrock,
Facebook – www.facebook.com/MarketerTerryBrock
LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/marketerterrybrock/
Business-Building Videos- http://www.youtube.com/terrylbrock
