Memo to you folks who haven’t seen that film — do it. It’s one of the best.
Why is social media so important? The folks over at Sprout Social report that 55% of consumers learn about new brands on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. Let’s do the math. That’s more than half.
Plus, social media puts you and your customers in direct contact seamlessly and at their convenience. That’s something that advertising, PR, or email marketing can’t promise. Sprout Social reports a whopping 68% of consumers say that’s important to them.
Getting Started with Social Media
As with all things, it’s essential to start with a strategy. We begin all marketing or communications campaigns by taking a deep dive into a company’s story, learning about its target audience, and taking a hard look at the industry and competition. Then we look at growth and engagement goals and marry those to our best practices.
You’ll want to do that research to uncover where your audience is and what kind of information they’ll want to consume. Remember, the key is engagement, not volume.
Okay, it’s time to ensure your accounts are ready for the spotlight when you’ve completed the research and strategy work. Optimize your pages with good images, content that communicates your singular promise, and CTAs that drive engagement.
There are times when you might have to open new accounts — many people start with only Facebook but need to add Twitter and YouTube. We recommend consistent account names to help potential clients, fans, and followers find you.