Often we see businesses having a hard time negotiating the social media landscape, and missing the crux of what they are trying to accomplish.
Social media is not a sales mechanism, it’s a relationships mechanism that will eventually drive sales. All other aspects of the business will fall into place if you build the relationship effectively.
Key Point: The goal of using social media for your business is to listen to what your customers are saying in order to facilitate a two-way conversation between yourself and them.
So what areas should your social media efforts focus on for that two-way conversation to take place?
It All Boils Down to This
Attract
One side of the social media triangle is devoted to attraction. By interacting with your target market, networks, or customers you will be building a reputation and attracting attention to your product, brand or cause.
Attraction happens in many ways.
- Be interesting
- Be human – be a real person
- Have a point of view
- Have an exciting product or service
- Be helpful
- Become a trusted expert
Engage
Social media is about conversations and engagement. This is quite possibly the most important side of the triangle.
Social media is not a one way communication channel between you and your customers, and if you treat it as such you will never reach the kind of engagement necessary for social media to be effective in your business.The more you can engage the folks you are doing business with, the more successful your social media campaign will be.
How do you engage?
- Ask questions
- Ask for feedback
- Initiate action
- Be conversational
- Provide value, give more than you get
Effective engagement is built around the two-way value exchange
Retain
Retention should be a natural byproduct of doing the two parts above effectively. Once you attract attention to your business, and engage those individuals, they most likely will want to stick with you, if you've taken the time to foster the relationship.
Remember: The goal of social media is to build lasting relationships with those who chose to have the conversation with you.
Similar Posts:
- Social Networks, Influencers, and Word of Mouth
- Social Media as a Marketing Tool
- Small Business and Social Media – A BETTER Approach
- A Question for You
- Stop Twittering Your Life Away Trying to Figure Out Social Media
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Social media is a site whereby where can meet up friends of similar interest and share our ideas across. We have to interact with the community to break the barrier of complete strangers and certainly agree with you that engaging in conversation is important in getting into a social media circle. Well written article.
Wei Liang
You need to add one more thing to your list. “Be Incredible.”
@Derek
I think I would put that under Attract. Being incredible is another great way to attract.
Matt
@Wei Liang
I think it’s that breaking down of barriers, gaining familiarity, that makes social media work so well for businesses who use it correctly. You’re no longer doing business with a faceless corporation, it’s like doing business with a trusted friend…big difference.
Mat
I enjoyed it – another great article to help along my new path – thanks!
if you have time , do all .
@Justin
For social media to work you have to do it all, each side is equally important.
Matt
@CanadianRedhead
No problem, glad you are finding the articles here useful.
Matt