Based on current marketing trend reports, 2013 will continue to capitalize on the popularity of social media marketing.
Part of the allure –social media marketing tactics are budget conscious by taking advantage of platforms such as Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare. The beauty of social media is two-fold because not only can you reach a wide, engaged audience, but you can do so affordably.
The best way to decide where to start is to evaluate which platforms are optimal for reaching your target audience. For example, Pinterest rose in 2012 to be the second largest utilized social media platform. However, it is not necessarily the best avenue for every type of business. Evaluating the different social media offerings and their reach will help you decide where you should invest your time and efforts.
Once you know which social avenues to travel, it’s time to make a commitment to create continuous and current content. Without this continuous effort negative impressions can occur. Simply placing messages on Facebook or other sites is not enough to create a relationship with consumers. If social media is going to be part of your company’s 2013 marketing plan, have an outline of how it fits into your overall marketing efforts and be ready to stay committed. With that commitment, you will be able to capitalize on the opportunities given through social media. The best strategy is to start small, be engaging and be visual.
Introduce one social media avenue into your plan each quarter and focus on just that. Start with one outlet. Engage users by sharing, liking and placing comments to enhance your awareness levels and credibility. Share videos, photos and ideas. Once you have a strong following on one medium, move to another that can be easily intertwined.
The 2013 online marketing trend will continue to spotlight social media, so profit from starting small, being engaging, and using visuals to push your business’ presence to the next level.
