tahoechamber tech tuesday - feb. 4, 2014
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TahoeChamber presentation of Back to Basics: Social Media 101 for BussinessesTRANSCRIPT
Back to Basics
Social Media 101 for Business
What is social media?
“Forms of electronic communication… through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages and other content (as videos)”
– Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Why should businesses use social media?• Reduced marketing costs
• Inexpensive promotional opportunities
• Increased SEO benefits
• Increased leads
• Increased exposure
• Increased traffic
• Brand loyalty
• Marketplace insight
Social Media & Small Business• 90% of small businesses are engaged in social
media for their brand
• 60% of these businesses have experienced challenges in building an effective social media marketing strategy
Top Sites
• Google+
• YouTube*
• Pinterest*
Social Media Strategy• Define goals
• Increased traffic
• Greater customer service
• Increased awareness of products
• Define audience
• Who and where are they?
Social Media Strategy
• Define your organization and what makes you special
• Determine your resources
• Time
• Money
• Tools
Build Your Audience
• In person
• Contests
• Paid advertising
• Other social media networks
• Through existing customers (engagement)
• Research similar products or companies that serve a similar audience
Drive Engagement
Ask simple questions to start the conversation:
• yes or no
• true or false
• what’s your favorite?
• fill in the blank
• opinion
• click “like” if…
Drive Engagement
Photos
• related to your product or service
• branding without a hard sell
• memes and quotes
Encourage feedback on products and services
Thank those who comment or participate
Images
• Hire a photographer
• DIY with a digital camera
• Coordinate colors with your company’s logo
• Don’t include calls to actions in profile pictures or cover photos
• Use professional images related to your business
• Logos
Best Times to Talk Shop
• During sales
• Announcing new vendor
• Awards
• News or blog coverage
• Limited amount/almost sold out
Social Media Mistakes
1. Not having a social media presence
2. Having an unprofessional social media presence
3. Failing to develop a well-defined strategy and goals
Limit in Social Media
1. Linking accounts
2. Pushing out information
3. Posting once a month OR posting 5 times a day
4. Asking people to follow you
5. Text heavy posts
More Tips
• Build a presence on a variety of platforms
• Post valuable content on a regular basis
• Develop a strategic social media plan
• Find out where your customers are online
• Invest time and remain consistent
Facebook Opportunities
• Brand your products
• Reach new people and potential customers
• Interact with your customers
Facebook Basics• Create a professional Facebook page
• Use an interesting and/or related cover photo
• Personalize your page and show who you are, what you believe in, etc.
• Use variety in your posts and post types
• 75% business, 25% fluff
• Photos, links, questions, etc.
Facebook Power Tips
• Develop a content strategy
• Develop a posting schedule
• Post once or a few times a day
• Build your audience and engage
• A/B testing to determine best posts
• Increase audience with advertising
Demos
How to create a page for business
How to schedule posts
How to boost posts for more exposure
Twitter Opportunities
• Connect to customers in real time
• Build your brand
• Reputation management
Twitter Basics
• Be you
• Use related images for avatars and backgrounds
• Tweet about yourself and others
• Talk about things relevant to your business
• Articles, news, etc.
Twitter Power Tips
• Tweet with and about others
• Find or create hashtags
• Develop a posting schedule
• Auto-scheduling is your friend
• Editorial calendars help you keep variety in posts
Demos
How to create a Twitter account
How to schedule posts
Hoot Suite