Social media marketing is changing the marketing landscape so fast that companies are struggling to adapt their strategies and tactics. What worked in 2001 or even last year is becoming less and less effective.
Planning to publish a PR article in six months with traditional print media could mean completely missing the marketing window of opportunity. Booking bus or outdoor advertising takes time you might not have and not be able to measure.
So what are some key elements you need to keep in mind to market on a social web?
1. Share
Think sharing. What do people want to share? Then publish and promote it. This starts with a shareable and compelling headline.
2. Go Real Time
Social media marketing involves publishing in real time, not next week or next month and topical posts and tweets will help you catch the trend and viral wave. It also means you need to respond in real time to complaints, issues and inquiries. The days of publishing 3 months or 6 months in advance are fast disappearing as the market may have changed in that time and people want their information now!
3. Educate – Don’t Sell
People no longer want to be “sold to”. Social marketing is about informing and solving peoples problems with answers and information, whether that be from your blog, links in your tweets or updates and information on Facebook.
4. Entertain – Don’t Market
We live in an information age that discards the bland and embraces the “WOW”. Facebook pages and updates that entertain, with competitions, humor or the unexpected are the links that will be shared.
