Social Media Marketing
It’s easy to create a Facebook or Twitter profile, finding the right ways to engage your target audience is another matter entirely. Now that we have our platforms ready to go, what’s next? The social media gurus at Impyre suggest a few helpful tips to keep your conversations strong.Lead with a question
Never underestimate the attraction of an open ended question. Everyone expresses themselves openly over social media, and any opportunity for direct communication facilitates engagement. Open ended questions inquire about details and should not result with a yes or no answer. We use the five W’s: what, when, why, how, and where, to direct the conversation into an array of topics relevant to the audience and needs.Stay positive
Remember the last time you felt like talking to that person who never had anything good to say? Yea, me neither. Your audience is only susceptible to responding when the message is clear and positive. You promote happier tones by avoiding not, never, can’t, etc. Ask associates to read over your writings before publishing them for a consistent delivery.Show interest
Interest requires more than simply going through a dull routine. It pays in social media to be an excellent listener. Take time to get to know the person on the other side, follow your company’s policies and stay creative. The sweetest sound anyone hears is their own name. Focus on conversing as yourself first as someone who just happens to work at the amazing company ‘A’.Recommend options
People avoid pushy used-car salesmen like the plague. Who wants to experience a hard sell anymore? We’ve watched enough TV and movies to spot and run away from miserable sales experiences. Use your best judgment to provide the audience with an actual solution even if it’s from a competitor. Explain your reasoning behind the choice and how it will benefit them. This is a great opportunity to detail why your products or services are of good quality, although not exactly what they need at this time.Let’s imagine you sell high-end quality furniture. A college student enters and asks for the cheapest end table. Unfortunately, even your lowest price tag reaches far beyond their budget. You list off the reasons the furniture is expensive, perhaps it is handcrafted from the rare Agarwood native to the woods of southeastern Asia. This fascinating story implants itself in the visitor’s mind, perhaps they’ll even tell their friends about this strange encounter! Unfortunately, Agarwood is not seen in many dorm rooms thanks to the expense and so you recommend the cheaper option of Furniture-R-Us across the highway.
True engagement is not always about the present, but what may come about in the future. With any luck the audience and their friends will return and immediately request your business without any buyer’s remorse thanks to the incredible customer service.
Always be closing
Let’s borrow a page from Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross. We must remember that social media management is not free and must provide a return on investment. Once you develop a strong following with the previous suggestions, only then can you occasionally promote deals, sales, and your products or services. A large majority of your time on social media includes engaging others, and a very small percentage pushing your business. Even when engaging, keep yourself one step ahead by asking “how will this conversation lead to increased customer volume?” Is this someone who refers your business to others, or who will eventually need what you sell. Some situations demand an active approach while others remain on the passive side. Use your best judgment and remember people do business with people.Credit for the “Twitter Be brief!” image goes to: Aaron Wood
