Social Networking

Hello again bloggers,

So it’s been over a month now since I’ve written a blog about happenings in the office, you must have missed me! In the meantime though you may have read Robin’s blog on cloud computing which was posted last week. If you haven’t already read it yet then why not take a look, it’s a good read.

So over the last month we’ve had a lot of fun in the office, many blonde moments on my part and generally good news all round. Placements are being made and new vacancies are coming in all of the time. Nothing to complain about at all!

This blog is all about social networking, something I feel know a lot, maybe too much, about!

When it comes to networking the sites available are great and can really help you to get your name out there! Facebook especially is a great tool for keeping in touch with people or making new connections anywhere in the world. However like most things, Facebook does have its pitfalls, though I suppose it isn’t actually Facebook itself, its more how you use it. This story http://tinyurl.com/afckv4, for example, is just one of many where someone has, quite idiotically, posted something derogatory about work on Facebook forgetting in the process that their boss is also using the site!

Facebook, in my eyes, can be the route of all evil on the non business side, as amongst other things it can causes break-ups and petty arguments etc, but I think it’s completely the opposite when it comes to business. I’ve set up an Ibell Cowlin Facebook & Twitter presence, so please make sure you like our page http://tinyurl.com/6fttxku and follow us on Twitter @ibellcowlin.

So far both have been beneficial; it helps with recommendations, advertising, and surveys. Being on the social media platform can open a lot of doors for companies and also help followers/clients and candidates relate to companies with ease.

Social media marketing (SMM), also sometimes referred to as social network marketing (SNM), is a strategy that helps you to build a network of customers and potential customers, stay in touch with those who are interested in your products and services and ultimately build upon your bottom line in the form of additional sales.

However all of this said, for me it’s surprising how many companies don’t know how to effectively build a sound social media strategy. Many are making mistakes along the way that can actually do more harm than good. With this in mind I’ve put together a list of six mistakes to avoid:

1. Too little content

Forming a social network presence takes more than simply creating an account on Facebook or Twitter. Too many businesses are of the mind that “if you build it, they will come,” meaning as long as there is an account, people will find you.

However no one will find you or want to stay with you if you do not offer them quality content in your social media updates and posts. Rather you should focus on sending quality updates and including links to videos, pictures, podcasts and/or other pertinent news stories.

2. Too many updates

While too little content will not help you build a social network, too many updates can do the same. Posting continuous updates becomes exhausting and will make your followers weary of your constant “presence.” Be sure to spread out your updates and make each one counts for quality, not quantity.

3. Little or no interaction with followers

One of the reasons so many people around the world like social media is the interaction with others. Don’t fail to encourage and stimulate conversations with your fans and followers. Engaging your social community helps nurture your relationship and strengthen the bond and loyalty with your company.

4. Improper competitor approaches

Don’t think that you’re the only one trying to promote your type of business through social media. Ignoring your competitors puts you in a vacuum and prevents you from learning how your competition operates. Likewise, ridiculing or putting down your competition through SMM tactics can backfire and set your own fans and followers against you.

5. Failing to analyze

Do you know how effective your SMM campaigns are? How many of your social media marketing updates result in clicks to your website? How many of those result in converted sales? How are your SMM updates being discussed and shared? These are just a few of the questions you need to answer in order to effectively re-evaluate and update your SMM efforts. Don’t fail to analyze your metrics.

6. Failing to be authentic

Don’t try to follow trends and fads with your SMM updates. Many business bloggers and social media strategies simply try to repost or recycle something else that is the current most popular hashtag. Make sure your posts are 100% from the heart and make sure each one gives your audience something of value.

Thank you all for reading again... my next blog will be all about the office!! So keep an eye out for the next one!

KR,

Zena