Social Media?  Really?

I’ve always been more of a search guy. It’s true. I’m all about getting business owners on the first page of Google.  That’s what I’m good at.  SEO, PPC, Link Building. That’s the world I’m most comfortable in because that’s a world where I can measure results and prove value. I’ve been slow to accept social media as a business tool but last fall I finally saw the light.

That’s when I attended a digital media conference in Phoenix, where I met some of the great social media leaders and finally had my light bulb moment. I started to truly embrace blogging (more than ever), twitter, facebook, and even Google+.  My efforts to “play in this world” have been a terrific success and I encourage everyone to open their minds to the possibility that there’s a place for social media in your business.

Still not sure? I challenge you to watch this video and not believe that Social Media is an important internet marketing channel. And here’s one just for fun.  I couldn’t resist.

The next challenge is finding the time to do it right. Most businesses I talk to don’t have the time. If you’ve ever considered outsourcing social media, here’s a brief look at what a good package should look like:

  • Creation. If you don’t have them already, your social media manager should create profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.
  • Message Distribution. Your social media manager should meet with you at least every two months to plan out a calendar of messages, communications, promotions, etc. Regular meetings are a must. This person needs to know and understand your business and your personality.
  • Social Engagement. Your social media manager should strategically build your fan base and followers and monitor the social sphere and interact as needed. There are cheap and easy ways to get Likes and +1s, but a good social media manager can build a real following of people who buy from you, or one day may.
  • Listening. Your social media manager should listen for mentions of your business and industry that may impact your business. People are much more aggressive about reviewing a company when they are online. Make sure you’re aware of what they are saying about you!
  • Blog Post Writing. Your social media manager should post a minimum of 2 blog posts/mo. If you’re not an author, your social media manager should provide professional, on-topic articles for your blog and social media. Providing valuable content to your social media circles is key to building relationships.

I hope this helps outline the basics of social media management for you. See ya next time!

David McBee

Social Media Management

Videos in this post: