I’m excited about the future. I can’t wait to see what 2014 brings. It never hurts to look at improvements though. So on New Years Eve I had a think about 14 ideas to help improve your social media marketing results in 2014. I was actually thinking of ideas that I want to apply to my strategy this year and thought that you might benefit from some of the ideas as well.
1. Get active on Google+
I’m planning on ramping up my Google+ activity this year. By this time next year you’ll wish that you had already done this by now. Honestly, why wouldn’t you want Google to know about and to display as much information about your business as possible? It’s a no brainer really.
2. Have a new plan
You may not have a social media marketing plan or strategy yet. Even if you do, it’s time for a fresh one. The digital media landscape is dynamic and it is important that you have a strategic plan to make an impact.
3. Work out how you will measure your results
There are now dozens of ways to measure your social media impact. If you aren’t measuring your results you could be wasting a lot of time, energy and resources. You’ll never know if you’re not tracking it.
4. Contribute to a community or tribe
Regardless of your niche or industry there are loads of supportive people out there that will help contribute to your success. But first it’s important for you to help contribute to their success.
5. Diversify your efforts
Just having a Facebook page isn’t a social media marketing strategy. A blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, and a dedicated YouTube channel are all important channels to consider to reach your target audience.
6. Consolidate your efforts
Try to link as much of your social media marketing activity together as possible. Preferably back to your blog. For example; Post some content on your Google+ page, then share the image of that content to Pinterest. If you like you can then even tweet that pin, or share it with your Facebook audience. This will help promote your different social media channels with your various social media followers and ultimately direct them to your blog or brand.
7. Create a content calendar
Whether you just start collecting relevant images and videos to share (in folder), or lock down a tight blogging subject matter schedule. Organising your content in advance will save you time and relieve pressure. It will also help make (& keep) it fun too.
8. Set up Google authorship
If you are a blogger (or plan to blog) this is an absolute essential. By setting this up properly it will help promote your content, increase your brand image, make it easier for your clients to find your content and will add credibility to your blog posts.
9. Set up a LinkedIn page for your business
Even if you don’t use LinkedIn I’m guessing that you already know that it a business related social network. That means it is an ideal place for your business to have a profile. If marketing your business with social media and attracting potential new clients is a priority for your business you simply can’t afford to overlook this idea.
10. Grow your network and keep in touch
You can never have too many contacts and introductions from your network could potentially change everything. Growing your networks should be something to focus on daily, but keeping in contact is just as important.
11. Take note of what works for others
I’m sure that you have seen and even shared some excellent content and thought; “That was great” (or something like that). My friend Randy Bowden calls it ‘social currency’. Take great ideas that you have seen work for others and have a think about how you could apply that idea to content that your audience would like to share as their social currency.
12. Consolidate your branding
This should be a work in progress. It certainly is for me and my Social Strategies brand image. Your audience and target market should get a consistent brand message and recognition however or wherever they find you.
13. Apply some real life to your digital marketing
Let’s keep it real. People love hearing about real stories and prefer dealing with brands that have a personal touch or identify. Social media has never been about marketing. It’s about being social. Real people behind your brand will help you be social.
14. Be social
In my opinion this is the most important aspect of social media marketing. By focusing your social media marketing efforts on actually being social it will help build trust, develop brand advocates and keep it fun. If you get this part right the rest will fall into place.
Here are some links that may help you action some of these ideas:
Link your Google+ profile to the content that you create
Adding a LinkedIn Company Page
Social Media ROI: 14 Formulas to Measure Social Media Benefits
The #1 Relationship Building Strategy You Should Do Daily
Build Your Content Calendar: 3 Easy Steps
The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas. ~ Linus Pauling #quote
— Matt Crawford (@SocialStratMatt) January 1, 2014
2014 has the potential to be a pivotal year for your business. Even if you only apply one or two of these 14 ideas to help improve your social media marketing results in 2014 it may just help you connect with that dream customer that you know is out there. They are out there and will buy from someone. Let’s take action to help them to decide to do business with you.
If you would like any more ideas, or for me to expand on any of these ideas please CLICK HERE. I’m here to help and would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave a comment below if you have already tried any of these ideas or if you have been considering applying any them in 2014. If you have found these helpful please share them with all of your social networks to help your friends and followers with ideas to help advance their business. Thanks for reading and sharing. I will look forward to seeing you back here next week.
If you enjoyed this post you might also like:
How to Measure Your Social Media Marketing ROI
Lessons in storytelling for top results
If you don’t create change then change will create you
Image credit [Fran Parra Carrión]
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