Unlocking the power of social media is a great way for startups to develop brand awareness and drive word-of-mouth marketing at a low financial cost. But, it has to be done properly. Brand awareness occurs organically as you engage with others and post engaging content. And word-of-mouth marketing on social medial platforms is effective for lead generation and customer acquisition. Here are some tips on how to maximize the value of social media for your startup.
Determine the Right Social Media Platforms
Choosing the right social media platform to use is dependent on your goals, approach and strategy. Currently, Facebook is the king of social media platforms and has more than 700 million active users. If your goal is to reach out to the masses, having a presence on this platform is a must-do. As a matter of fact, if you don’t have a Facebook page, potential customers may wonder why you’re not there. It’s an excellent platform to establish credibility.
Twitter should also be a key part of your social media strategy. Studies show that 68 percent of Twitter users are more likely to buy from brands they follow. If you’re marketing approach is to provide one-on-one customer engagement or to distribute valuable content, Twitter should be in marketing arsenal.
LinkedIn is an excellent choice is you’re a startup seeking to locate business partners. It’s a professional platform and facilitates global networking. For brand awareness, YouTube is your new BFF. Use this popular platform to distribute engaging videos to the world. It’s also a cross-marketing approach that can be shared on other platforms. Pinterest is another social media platform that’s ideal for startups marketing physical products. And don’t forget about Google. Anything Google does spells success. Use it to your advantage for a startup.
Focus on Long-Term Growth and Success
When using social media platforms, your strategy should be to build a community of ambassadors. It’ll give your startup brand awareness and more exposure. It doesn’t happen overnight, so stick with it. Eventually, it’ll pay off.
Effective social media marketing is all about listening rather than taking the central stage by doing all the talking. Listen to what folks are saying and garner valuable information to serve as an ongoing focus group. Engage your followers with hot topics, videos and great photos. Separate yourself from the herd and try something new. Feature a contest, offer a survey and present information that’s of interest to your viewers. It doesn’t have to be all about business. Get social and get personal.
Before you do anything on social media, it’s important to determine how you want to portray your company. Of course, you’ll want to align your social media approach with your brand’s culture. Is it casual, straightforward or classic? Whatever frame you portray, keep it consistent. If you don’t, you just may lose credibility with your audience.
When you do it right on social media platforms, launching your startup is much easier and more effective. Do it right and let it rip!
