Social medias popularity is ever-increasing and not just among consumers. Progressively more brands are seeing the value of social media too and everyone is trying to get their piece of the action. That being said, very few brands have produced unique, mind-blowing social media campaigns.
One reason for this might be that most brands still see social media as a free platform which translates into brands not being prepared to spend money on creating a proper social media strategy. This is a great pity as a properly conceptualised and well-executed social media campaign not only compliments other marketing activities, but also serves as a platform to connect and engage with current and potential clients.
Brands that produce successful digital strategies invest extensive resources to create original strategies that capture consumers attention, engage with them and encourage them to spread the message. When it comes to social media engagement, South African brands are getting smarter. Woolworths is a great example of a brand that has taken social interaction to the next level, take a look at their Facebook fan page and Twitter profile.
We are often asked when a social media campaign can be considered successful? The answer really depends on each campaigns unique goals, but there are some important factors that contribute to a campaigns success including:
- Integrating the social media campaign with your brands current marketing activities (closing-the-loop) and keeping the brand message consistent
- Realising that in the case of social media, the consumer is in charge and not always the brand
- Considering social media as a long-term marketing activity and not a once-off solution to boost a promotion
- Using an employee or agency that is familiar with the brands policies and general social networking rules as the brands social media voice
There are many more factors that influence the success of a social media campaign but, as always, it is important to lay the right foundation with a detailed social media strategy.
Creating a social marketing strategy
When creating a social media strategy the decision as to which social networks to utilise can be overwhelming but its important to realise that your brand cant be everywhere. Many brands jump on the bandwagon for the sake of doing social media and create profiles on every social network they come across. These profiles are then left and forgotten about. That is NOT a social media strategy. Start building on your strategys foundation by researching which social networks your target audience are spending their time on and focus your resources there. Secondly, determine what type of content you are going to publish on your social networks and how you are going to engage with (and entice) followers and fans.
Engaging on social networks
For some marketers its difficult to grasp that social media is not just another marketing channel that can be used to hard-sell your brand. The best way to pull consumers in and encourage engagement is to tell them a story. Also consider your target audiences other interests and add content related to these in your content mix.
Determine your campaign metrics
What do you want to achieve and how are you going to measure the success of your social media campaign? Do you want to enhance brand awareness, increase sales or reach new consumer markets?
How to integrate social media
When you invest in a well thought out digital strategy results are virtually guaranteed. It is important to get the basics right: Make sure you have Twitter, Facebook and RSS feed buttons (or links to other social networks) on your website so that visitors can find you easily on their preferred social network. Tie in offline promotions with online and experiment with online promotions to gauge results.
Monitor, measure and engage
Social media makes a good reputation monitoring tool and offer brands more opportunities to engage with potential consumers. Start your ORM strategy by tracking your own brand name, competitors brand names and key-phrases related to your business activity. Regular reports will help to measure the campaigns progress and highlight areas that can be improved upon.
Social media offers countless opportunities to engage with customers and to increase awareness for your brand. If you think you need to clean up your social media strategy or if youd like to know more about how social media could benefit your brand, make use of our complimentary, limited offer social media audit (T&Cs apply). The AlterSage team will evaluate your current social media strategy to see which areas can be improved and how your strategy can be better integrated with other elements for better results. Still finding your feet in the social sphere? Let us help you make the most from your efforts. Email us and quote tm04social to redeem your complimentary social media audit.
One reason for this might be that most brands still see social media as a free platform which translates into brands not being prepared to spend money on creating a proper social media strategy. This is a great pity as a properly conceptualised and well-executed social media campaign not only compliments other marketing activities, but also serves as a platform to connect and engage with current and potential clients.
Brands that produce successful digital strategies invest extensive resources to create original strategies that capture consumers attention, engage with them and encourage them to spread the message. When it comes to social media engagement, South African brands are getting smarter. Woolworths is a great example of a brand that has taken social interaction to the next level, take a look at their Facebook fan page and Twitter profile.
We are often asked when a social media campaign can be considered successful? The answer really depends on each campaigns unique goals, but there are some important factors that contribute to a campaigns success including:
- Integrating the social media campaign with your brands current marketing activities (closing-the-loop) and keeping the brand message consistent
- Realising that in the case of social media, the consumer is in charge and not always the brand
- Considering social media as a long-term marketing activity and not a once-off solution to boost a promotion
- Using an employee or agency that is familiar with the brands policies and general social networking rules as the brands social media voice
There are many more factors that influence the success of a social media campaign but, as always, it is important to lay the right foundation with a detailed social media strategy.
Creating a social marketing strategy
When creating a social media strategy the decision as to which social networks to utilise can be overwhelming but its important to realise that your brand cant be everywhere. Many brands jump on the bandwagon for the sake of doing social media and create profiles on every social network they come across. These profiles are then left and forgotten about. That is NOT a social media strategy. Start building on your strategys foundation by researching which social networks your target audience are spending their time on and focus your resources there. Secondly, determine what type of content you are going to publish on your social networks and how you are going to engage with (and entice) followers and fans.
Engaging on social networks
For some marketers its difficult to grasp that social media is not just another marketing channel that can be used to hard-sell your brand. The best way to pull consumers in and encourage engagement is to tell them a story. Also consider your target audiences other interests and add content related to these in your content mix.
Determine your campaign metrics
What do you want to achieve and how are you going to measure the success of your social media campaign? Do you want to enhance brand awareness, increase sales or reach new consumer markets?
How to integrate social media
When you invest in a well thought out digital strategy results are virtually guaranteed. It is important to get the basics right: Make sure you have Twitter, Facebook and RSS feed buttons (or links to other social networks) on your website so that visitors can find you easily on their preferred social network. Tie in offline promotions with online and experiment with online promotions to gauge results.
Monitor, measure and engage
Social media makes a good reputation monitoring tool and offer brands more opportunities to engage with potential consumers. Start your ORM strategy by tracking your own brand name, competitors brand names and key-phrases related to your business activity. Regular reports will help to measure the campaigns progress and highlight areas that can be improved upon.
Social media offers countless opportunities to engage with customers and to increase awareness for your brand. If you think you need to clean up your social media strategy or if youd like to know more about how social media could benefit your brand, make use of our complimentary, limited offer social media audit (T&Cs apply). The AlterSage team will evaluate your current social media strategy to see which areas can be improved and how your strategy can be better integrated with other elements for better results. Still finding your feet in the social sphere? Let us help you make the most from your efforts. Email us and quote tm04social to redeem your complimentary social media audit.
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