Great. You've created your Facebook fan page (the social media website ranked #1 in terms of daily visitors) for your business or your client. Next, you set up your Twitter account (the fastest growing micro blogging application in the world), followed by your YouTube profile. Logos, contact information, and company bios have been updated - so now what?
You may have a great page background for Twitter or post the most interesting and unique articles to your "wall" on Facebook, but if nobody's watching, your content goes to waste.
So, how do you build an audience for your content? The following are a few suggestions you might find helpful when launching a social media campaign for a business:
- Post Links on Your Website! - This might sound like common sense, but every day I encounter another company that makes the mistake of not posting their social media links to their website. There are varieties of aesthetically appealing visual designs you can choose from. Whether it's an icon that says "Follow Us On Twitter" or one that says "Like Us On Facebook," get those links on your homepage so you can direct your most likely followers - those who are interested enough in your company to already be checking out your website -- to your social media sites!
- Link! Link! Link! - In the digital media world sharing is caring, so show some love for your new Internet friends. Read an article supporting major funding for your industry? Post it. The Wall Street Journal writes a favorable review of your groundbreaking state-of-the-art technology? Post it. You get the idea. The more people and places you can link to, the better chance you have of your content being noticed. While doing this, it is important to give credit where credit is due.There are various ways you can share outside content crediting those who authored it. Social media is reciprocal; you'll be surprised how many share your content with their audiences.
- Stimulate Your Audience - This phrase may be overkill by now, but social media is more than just posting editorial coverage, company news and relevant photos about your company. Listen to what people are saying, and ask questions. Social media is just like the real world - if you're sitting across from someone at a restaurant talking AT them until you're blue in the face, they're going to stand up and walk away. Ask your audience for feedback on your company; what they're currently doing or whether or not they understand a company announcement, press release, etc.
- Monitor For Your Brand/Industry - You're not the only person out there talking about your company (at least I hope not), so wouldn't it make sense if those talking about you on social media outlets knew you were out there too? If you're not using a professional social media monitoring service then get out your detective tools and do some sleuthing on your own. Start with your company name, and move outwards from there. Keywords that define your company and industry and names of competitors should be monitored on a daily basis. There are also websites out there that can do this for free, including SocialOopmh, HootSuite and TweetDeck.
There are many more ways to build your online communities via social media and establish quality relationships that result in sales, investments, insight or whatever else you're looking for. Have fun, be creative, share and connect with others. These steps are the building blocks for establishing long-term success online.
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