Once your social media strategy is established, the next step is to integrate the right social media networks and tools to achieve your strategy goals. Many companies assume they should at least participate in the same platforms as their competition. This approach may work if it is apparent that the competition is gaining exposure with these platforms too. However, if you don’t use these channels already, you really don’t want to promote them with the assumption that your visitors will become your friends just by clicking on your social media icons. You may think that it will look impressive to your audience if you display lots of social media icons on your website. If your website visitors discover you are not actively participating on social media, the actual result can reduce credibility in your brand. The reality of this approach can end a potential relationship before you even get started.
If you are just getting started with integrating social media into your marketing mix, the first step is to sign up for social media sites you intend to utilize before someone else grabs your name. Once you’re signed up, begin listening to online conversations in your business community with a goal of eventually communicating and engaging with others in order to build relationships. If you are still consistently posting new material after several weeks or even months of documenting conversations on your social media sites, you are now ready to integrate and promote your social media sites with the world. List your social media icons on your website beginning with the one you use most often at the top or left side of the list and the least used at the end or right side of the list. Also, be sure to keep up with the latest social media trends within the platforms you use since new tools and rules are added and change often. Additionally, don’t dilute your messages with too many distracting widgets, and only add those that add value for your visitors. Lastly, do not forget to include an efficient monitoring solution that is integrated into all of your social media networks in order for your data to be useful and most importantly accurate.
To learn more about our social media integration services and how Image-Minded can improve your social media presence, email us at info@image-minded.com.