Social Media has become the number one tool for companies trying to reach as much of their target markets as possible. If you’re on the fence about starting a social media campaign, we’ve compiled some facts and numbers that are sure to sway your opinion. Here are five things to ensure a successful social media campaign, and why.
The Things You’ll Need
1. A Facebook Page
2. A Twitter Page
3. A YouTube Channel
4. A Mobile Application
5. Landing Pages
Why?
1. Recently, Facebook has exceeded 500 million users worldwide. With the tools offered by the site, companies are able to market directly to specific niches that may otherwise have gone unreached. For example, when creating a Facebook ad, a shoe company is able to target consumers who are members of groups such as “marathon runners” or “I love working out.” Try advertising in the local newspaper, and see how difficult it is to reach groups as specific as these. In addition to Facebook Ads, a Facebook Page allows companies to interact with current and potential customers in a more casual manner than ever before. The idea is to create personal relationships with the customers to establish an emotional connection with your brand. New applications added to the site, such as “Facebook Places” and “Facebook Deals” allow for even further interaction between your company and your customers. Remember: 500 million potential customers are waiting for you to arrive on Facebook. That’s a no-brainer!
2. Twitter now boasts an impressive 75 million users on its site. Twitter users “follow” companies who in turn post short messages about their brands, or news related to their industries. The idea is to keep your name fresh in customer’s minds, and to direct them to your internet storefront, or physical location.
3. YouTube is by far the most popular video sharing site on the internet. Closing in on 2 BILLION views per day, it would be a poor business decision not to get involved. A YouTube channel is a personalized site for your business within the YouTube site. Whether you show promotional videos, tours of the office, or interviews with staff, videos are another great way to build personal relationships with customers.
4. Since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, mobile applications have seen unbelievable success. By the end of 2010, it is estimated that 4.5 billion mobile apps will have been sold. Combining all Apple devices (iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad), Android devices, and Blackberry devices, the mobile application market exceeds (roughly) 411 million users! By installing your company’s mobile application on their device, consumers will be able to interact with your business all day, every day, wherever in the world they may be. This is an advantage that the marketing world has never seen before. The possibilities are endless, and the user base increases every day.
5. Facebook uses a generic format on all of its pages. The way to differentiate your page from others is through the use of Landing Pages. These are tabs at the top of your page that can be turned into a storefront, a sweepstakes page, a welcome page, and countless other valuable add-ons that will separate your page from the everyone else’s.
By now, I hope we’ve convinced you that social media is THE way to build relationships with current customers, and form new relationships with prospective customers. By combining all of these social media outlets, your company will have the potential to be seen 2 Billion 986 Million times. Even if you reach .2% of this number, that’s 5 million 872 thousand prospects. Numbers talk, but these ones SCREAM!
When will you start your campaign?
