There’s no doubt about it; social media is an effective marketing tool. A lot of businesses in Virginia grew because of it — and started from it. But contrary to what most people think, crafting a social media strategy isn’t as easy as it looks like. For one, choosing the right platform is already a crucial decision.
There are tons of choices out there, so picking the right one isn’t as straightforward as it seems. So, how exactly will you know that you’re picking the right platform for your business? Here are the signs:
1. If the platform helps you meet your objectives
You have to pin down first what you want to get out of this marketing effort and know if a platform will deliver that to you. Is it awareness for your brand? Traffic to your website? Sales? Remember, you have to be S-M-A-R-T in your goals.
When you’re able to pin down these objectives, it’s easy to narrow down platform choices. For instance, if you want to create buzz for your brand, with people talking about it on a sustained time period, then Twitter is your best bet, as it helps you better track conversations with their hashtag (#) feature.
Of course, this goes without saying that you have to make sure that your social media goals contribute to the overall goals of your business. Experts such as Alkries LLC that provide social media marketing in Hollins Roanoke, VA, can help you in better aligning marketing goals with the direction you want your business to go.
2. If the platform is used by your target market
The essence of using social media is to connect to your audience, so if you’re not at where they are, you’re wasting your efforts. You want to know where your market is. There are many ways to do this. The simplest and most direct is to do a survey.
When customers visit your store, let them answer a short questionnaire about their social media habits. If not, you can also use online tools. Facebook Ads, for instance, can give you an estimate on how many people you’re likely to reach given the profile of an ideal customer you keyed in.
3. If the content you want to create matches the platform
There are types of content that work well with a platform. For example, photos are typically on Instagram or Pinterest, blogs on LinkedIn, videos on Facebook.
So, you have to know which types of content you want to create that would speak best about your brand. Then from there, decide which platforms would best host this type of content.
An effective social media strategy starts with the crucial decision of choosing a platform. Make sure you choose the right one.
