Internet Marketing Blog

Companies need a simple way to approach their social media strategy that doesn’t necessarily start with technology. It can be broken down into an easy, three pronged approach and here are our recommended components.

1. Monitor: In most cases, companies dive into the social media mix by jamming their traditional mainstream media messages into a social media venue. It just doesn’t work that way. The two-way dynamic of social media requires a different, more delicate approach. Careful, unbiased listening skills are a necessary part of a successful social media strategy. In order for companies to start off on the right foot, they must have an open mind to discover new possibilities and insight that their customers and potential customers will invariably deliver.

2. Engage: Companies have to take an active role in social media by engaging with their audience by providing thought leadership. This can be accomplished by participating in relevant conversations with key influencers in their industry. Their goal here is to make a positive impression with influential participants that are outside the company. The company ultimately needs to be perceived as the industry leader and a subject matter expert.

3. Integrate: A company’s marketing efforts should be integrated with their traditional marketing channels such as seminars, trade-show events, radio, television and print advertising. Social media has always been a challenge to measure in terms of ROI. When possible, it is advisable to use social media technologies to drive traffic to channels that can be measured through analytics software. Also, it pays to have a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution in place for tracking customers and managing prospects. Managing your company’s internet presence can and should be scalable.

Our simplified three pronged approach is not an end all, but provides an easily definable starting point that any company can begin to execute. What are your thoughts?

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Tags: marketing, Social Media Marketing, social media strategy

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 4:46 am and is filed under Social Media Marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.