It’s clear that social media is here to stay. A recent survey from research firm eMarketer estimated that about three-quarters of all U.S. companies have some presence on social media. So, if your company hasn’t developed a social sharing strategy, it’s likely to be outpaced rather quickly today.
“Customers conduct their research online,” says Jason Parks, owner of Columbus, OH-based digital marketing firm The Media Captain. “We live in a digital age, and if you’re not on social, you’re not taking any steps to increase your brand voice or visibility.”
Getting started can be frustrating. How do you make your message stand out amid the cacophony of the digital world? How do you attract followers and convert them into customers? Here are five strategies to help you create effective online marketing with social media.
1-Choose the right platform. There aren’t enough hours in the day to maintain a presence on every social media site out there. The best option is to experiment with a few and maintain the ones that give you the best return on your time investment. Business-to-business salespeople often have good luck prospecting on LinkedIn, the social network designed for professionals. Visual platforms like Instagram, Pinterest and even Facebook are a great way to show off custom-decorated apparel. “The key is to know your customers and know what platform shows your business off the best,” says Ann Marie van den Hurk, a principal at Tarboro, NC, public relations firm Mind The Gap.
Read more: 5 Ways to Boost Your Social Media Marketing Efforts
