According to Social Media Today, 25% of the total time Americans spend online is on social media sites and blogs. The question is how engaged are they during that time? In effect, do these visits matter? According to various statistics, the answer is ‘Yes’. For example, 71% of social media users report they are more likely to purchase from a brand with whom they are connected.

Whether or not your business is looking to establish a social media presence for the first time or improve an existing strategy, take the time to determine what makes the most sense for your brand, your customers, and your goals. To help point you in the right direction, we’ve compiled some key social media tips, leveraging insights from “26 Social Media Marketing Tips from the Pros,” written by Debbie Hemley and published on Social Media Examiner.

Here are 10 small business social media marketing tips that could help shape your own strategy:

1. Harness the power of the Call to Action: A call-to-action (CTA) is something that requires the audience to do something, whether it’s to share a Facebook post or to follow a company on Twitter. According to Mari Smith (10 Ways to Improve Your Facebook Reach): “Facebook posts that include the call to action “share” receive more shares, comments and likes.” This customer involvement (and promotion) can often be profitable. Remember, stick to one CTA or the audience will get too overwhelmed. Keep it simple.

2. Focus on smart and engaging content: Your content needs to go the extra mile to attract customers. “Content is fire, social media is gasoline. Content should be so useful that it’s seen as a “YOUtility”; in other words, content marketing that is so useful, people will want to keep you close and even be willing to pay for it.” This comes from Jay Baer, author of How to Create Customers for Life by Informing More and Promoting Less. The additional bonus is making your content so interesting that your customers will share it and thereby further boost visibility.

3. Develop a strategic content strategy: If you feel it’s hard to get the right content mix, you aren’t alone. In fact, according to Joe Pulizzi (10 Content Marketing Secrets That Will Propel You Beyond the Competition): “Only 36% of people surveyed believe their content marketing is effective. (The) biggest challenges they’ve faced are producing enough content and the kind that engages.” Good content takes significant effort, but it’s worth it in the long run.

4. Give analytics the credit they deserve: Analytics aren’t just about numbers. They tell a story. With the right analytics analysis, you will understand what posts are shared the most, which words are the most effective keywords, and what your target audience is doing when they visit your website. Review this story often, and tailor your strategy if you aren’t getting the right results.

5. Don’t be boring: Regardless of your business product (whether it’s an automobile or an umbrella), make your social media content interesting enough to share. Mix it up with facts, pictures, videos, and podcasts; your audience likes to be surprised.

6. Stay in the know: Depending on the day, people may be interested in something completely different from one hour to the next. It can be exhausting to keep up with the latest trends and hot-topics, but it’s critical if you want to be seen as an industry leader. People will be looking for your insights and advice.

7. Talk back to your customers: If you are on Facebook or Twitter and receive a direct question and/or concern from a customer, talk to them. If you fail to respond fast enough, it can be offensive and the whole online community will be watching. Maintain your customer relationships with two-way dialogue!

8. Know your customers: According to Brian Carter, author of Turning Social Advertising Into Leads and Sales, knowing your customer requires some digging. Carter says business need to ask the following questions: “Who are your customers, what do they want to hear about, what do they talk about to friends and family, what are their obstacles, what are their worries, how can you inspire them, how can you coach, mentor and motivate?” Find the answers to these questions before you reach out to your customers.

9. Know your business: Just because one social media strategy works for another company, doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for you. Focus on strategies and social media outlets that best drive home your brand messages and resonate with your customers in a profitable and meaningful way.

10. Use automated accounting to support e-commerce: Dose your social media strategy support e-commerce objectives? If your call-to-action messages are resonating with your audience, and your site is generating revenue, what type of accounting system are you using to track sales income and returns? Business automation is one great way to stay on top. Both bricks and clicks businesses find that desktop based accounting software such as QuickBooks helps to organize and track online sales more efficiently and accurately.Checksforless.com offers custom computer checks that are compatible with QuickBooks as well as most other leading accounting software.

As a final tip, stay agile. Be willing to change your strategies, venture into new social media arenas, and try new marketing promotions. As long as you stay true to your brand and keep the target audience front and center, your customers will appreciate your fresh outlook and customer relationships will remain strong and sustainable. Contact Checksforless.com today!

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References:
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/26-social-media-marketing-tips-from-the-pros
http://socialmediatoday.com/nate-mendenhall/1437866/6-stats-will-restore-your-faith-social-media