Social media is now being used as a strong marketing tool for business to connect with customers and show that ‘human side’.  Using social media can give your company the chance to show its personality rather than hiding behind expensive marketing campaigns.

Social media is not like old-fashion media, the same rules does not apply. Social media is about being apart of a community: sharing information, listening to your audience and building relationships.  Social media marketing can increase your brand awareness, direct traffic to your website, cement relationships with existing customers and win new customers

Most social media sites are free: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn all offer free account.  Wait! Don’t just jump on the social media bandwagon, have a reason for being there. This is where a social media marketing strategy comes in.

First, identify your goals and objectives; you need to have key goals to measure success. We recommend that you start by picking one site. Once you are comfortable, you can expand to other sites and build your presence.

‘I have set up the account, now what?’ You cannot wait for persons to find you, you have to announce that you are on Facebook, Twitter or other accounts by using traditional media. Put you Facebook and Twitter link on products, packaging and in email signatures.

Separate personal from professional accounts; make it clear when you are speaking as an individual as against when you are speaking as a representative for your company or organization.

Follow the rules; Facebook does not allow businesses to have profile pages, please use a Facebook fan page to represent your business.

Managing your social media accounts can be very time consuming and it requires dedication. We suggest that you have a dedicated social media manager whether in-house or contracted.  You might think an intern or any employee with a Facebook account can take on this role but this can be disastrous if you do not ensure they have the proper training as well as a clear social media policy in place to define the scope of your conversations. The social media strategy has to tie-in with the company’s overall marketing strategy.

Remember that social media is expected to be instant or near instant gratification so your fans and followers expect to get a response to their comments and or questions in a matter of minutes rather than hours.

And finally don’t just get on the social media bandwagon because everybody is doing it. ‘Get’ social media before jumping on the bandwagon!