Does Your Social Media Have a Voice?

If so, is it being heard? Are you sending out a loud and clear message to your target market or are you confusing them with mixed messages? 

Whether you are a small company or a large organization, it is extremely important that the CEO or the small business owner be the voice that is heard. The CEO or small business owner can be recognized and noticed as an individual personality that possesses independent opinions and happens to be the one driving the businesses’ direction.

If your CEO or small business owner does not have the time to truly commit to being part of the online community, it is best to seek a professional marketing firm or hire a full time Marketing person to manage this task. It is actually better to have NO PRESENCE in the social media community then to have an abandoned one.  Your business will do well to engage daily with visitors to your online platforms. Whether it be a response to an unsatisfied customer in which you can offer resolution, or daily updates of material relevant to your products and services, your presence must be known and felt.

Social media is a great opportunity to learn about your customers. A good strategy when developing your voice is to research where your prospects are spending their time online. If you are a medical practitioner and your customers use forums, (like WebMD), to seek advice when making healthcare choices, it would be wise to follow the trends of those consumers. It is these types of forums, where consumers are making purchasing decisions – like choosing their best eye doctor. LinkedIn often streams forums for corporations looking for business solutions, so if your organization provided business-to-business solutions, LinkedIn is a good site to follow.

Now that you know where to find your online customers, finding your social media voice also involves, understanding who you wish to hear your message.  Various social media networks have reputations. Make sure that your ‘brand’ is in alignment with the reputations of social networks you wish to engage. If you are a high end clothing boutique that caters to those with liquid funds, a social media platform that focuses on cheap deals in fashion may not be in your best interest. 

Social media allows for building awareness for products and services, and forging deeper relationships with customers. You can utilize social media as a marketing platform to share information regarding special discounts and promotions or gage how your company is performing based on survey feedback.  Whatever objective you wish to achieve with your social media marketing, the number one rule of thumbs is to engage and engage often. You exist because your clients chose you. Show your appreciation and loyalty to them but being proactive to their needs. You might also want to offer incentives in your social media to your loyal followers as a thank you for their patronage. After all, with the internet there is always a competitor next door who is happy to take over any business you might let slip through the cracks!

So work on those vocal cords by (a) establishing WHO will be your SMM voice, (b) researching your customers buying and decision-making trends, (c) understanding your brand, and (d) promoting your brand while engaging your clients. Start with these basics and your message will be on the road to 'being heard'.