Strategizing Your Social Media Marketing

In today's market, it is practically essential for your business to have a social media presence. If you have been anywhere near social media for the past few years, then you have probably seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to the way businesses conduct themselves. Especially with small businesses, it seems that their strategies for social media marketing are nothing more than afterthoughts. This can be frustrating for people like me, since a good social media presence can do wonders for brand awareness.
Thanks to Convince and Convert, here are 8 steps to ensure your social media strategy meets success.

Step 1. Build an Ark
 I don't know how well this analogy holds water (I crack myself up sometimes), but the idea is simple. Social media should come from all aspects of your business. Let customers feel like social media is naturally originating from you, and not something that you went outside to obtain.

Step 2. Listen and Compare
Listen to your customers and your competition. They will give you the best idea of where you should be with your social media presence.

Step 3. What's the Point?
Why are you on social media? Whats your goal? Brand awareness, higher sales, or customer loyalty are some possibilities.

Step 4. Select Success Metrics
How will you be measuring your success on social media? It could be likes, shares, or increased revenue, to name a few.

Step 5. Analyze Your Audiences
What is your target market? Who are the type of people you want to appeal to?

Step 6. What's Your One Thing?
Your customers know what your product is in their heads, but what is it in their hearts?

Step 7. How Will You Be Human?
You must consider how to relate personally to your customers. You might not consider your company to be a person, but on social media it must act like one.

Step 8. Create a Channel Plan
Have a reason and a solid game plan for each social media "channel" you plan to interact in. Don't just have a Facebook page and an Instagram because its what your supposed to do. Know why you are engaging in each platform.
(Source: Social Media Strategy in 8 Steps)

Taco Bell: Thinking Outside The Social Media Bun

Taco Bell is among the best examples of effective social media marketing. Currently ranking first on DigitalCoCo’s Restaurant Social Media Index, Taco Bell exercises three main principles which lead to this success. The first is the creation and sharing of truly creative content. The second is the relationship between qualitative and quantitative growth. Thirdly, Taco Bell is active in conversations with fans and brands.
(Source: Taco Bell: Serving Up the Spiciest Social Media Marketing This Side of the Rio Grande)