by tradesmeninsights | Jun 7, 2011 | Marketing Tips, Social Marketing
In the social media arena like in the real world people need to know, like and trust you in order to have a meaningful relationship. In the social media space, things are somewhat different in that you can’t choose the people following you.
Bear in mind that more people are watching than participating. According to Heidi Cohen, your typical social media audience is comprised of about 90% who are lurkers (just watching and listening but aren’t jumping into the conversation). Of the balance, about 8% are actually participating in conversations and less than 2% are highly engaged.
Here are some tips on how to be who you are (transparent):
- Let people know who you are if you plan on jumping into a conversation – Believe me, they will eventually find out and if you’re doing this as a representative of a brand, not only will you suffer but so will the brand.
- Listen before you leap – Don’t jump right into a conversation. See what others are saying and don’t just talk for talking sake. If you can’t contribute something, just continue to listen.
- Use human speak – In other words, talk like you normally do in a conversational tone. Leave the corporate speak out of this arena.
- Be responsive – If you do a post and someone responds, acknowledge and answer the question even if it’s with an I don’t know but I’ll get back to you answer. It’s just common courtesy and if you want to build a relationship, you need to have more than a one-way conversation.
- Don’t overshare – This is especially true when it comes to sensitive or confidential material from your company. Remember, you need to set limits and once it’s out there, it will be there forever!
Those are some of my thoughts on the subject. If you’d like to add to the list, please feel free to.
If you like this post, you may want to read:
Social Media: 10 Rules to Abide By
Social Media Introverts: Here are Ways for You to Come out of the Closet
by tradesmeninsights | May 17, 2011 | Marketing Tips, Marketing Tools, Marketing Trends, Social Marketing
The professional tradesmen don’t go anywhere without their cell phones, and there’s a good chance that those phones are smartphones (50% of Americans will own a smartphone by the end of 2011). They depend on them everyday on the jobsite. So are you missing an opportunity?
I recently read a post by Heidi Cohen, 6 Must-Do Mobile Marketing Tactics that outlined some things for you to consider if you’re contemplating getting into mobile apps. Here are some highlights as they would apply to the professional tradesmen:
- Understand your goals – You need to determine your strategy and how it fits into your existing marketing plan.
- Know your market – Beyond identifying your audience, you need to figure out what kinds of things would be most useful for a contractor of a jobsite.
- Mobile websites – Make sure your existing website is formatted for mobile. Make sure the content you do have there is applicable to the contractor’s “on the go” needs. Make fields larger, make sure you have your logo and encourage action.
- Mobile search – Beyond your normal optimization, combine with mobile CTR. Don’t forget to to include local content like where the closest distributor of your products are.
- Mobile e-mails – Since e-mails are the most used application, why not develop an e-mail plan specifically for mobile? If your sales guys are demoing a new product at a local Depot, let them know about it and offer them a discount coupon for stopping by.
These are just some ideas on how to capitalize on mobile. If you’ve got an existing mobile program going on, I’d like to hear what you’re doing.
If you like this post you might like:
Mobile Marketing for B-to-B: Change in the Air(waves)
56 Mobile Marketing Facts
by tradesmeninsights | May 5, 2011 | Marketing Tips, Social Marketing
Social media has its protocol just like anything else to participate, interact and engage. I recently read a good post by Heidi Cohen, Social Media’s 10 Commandments that I thought said it pretty well. Here are some highlights:
- Be real – Be yourself. You want to make your audience feel comfortable.
- Know your audience – If you know who they are, you can better understand and know what focus to on.
- It’s not about you – Talk to the bigger picture of what’s in it for the community you’re addressing.
- Participate – If you don’t, how can you expect to engage people and build relationships?
- Share your knowledge – Support the greater good of the community.
by tradesmeninsights | Apr 26, 2011 | Marketing Tips, Marketing Tools, Social Marketing
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I’m very high on LinkedIn as one of the best social media tools for B-to-B businesses, and it is one of the tools that is most overlooked. In March of 2011, LinkedIn passed its 100 million member. It’s currently averaging about 1 million new members a month (more than one new member per second).
I recently read an article by Heidi Cohen that outlined ways businesses can successfully use LinkedIn.
Here are some highlights:
- Position your company – Let people know you exist and what kinds of thing you do.
- Offers credibility – Position your company as a thought leader.
- Expands your contact base – of friends, business associates and prospects.
- Expands company network – The more members of your team that are on LinkedIn, the greater the exposure is for your company.
- Source for new employees – LinkedIn was originally a HR network and still is.
The key is to have a plan for your company and get as many people involved. Make sure the description of your company and what it does is the same on everyone’s pages as this helps in being found on search engines.
by tradesmeninsights | Apr 14, 2011 | Marketing Tips, Social Marketing
One of the challenges of social media is to get people engaged. Many are what I call lurkers who read what you post, have some opinion on it, but for some reason are afraid to jump in and give their two cents.
I don’t know what they are afraid of as we are here because we want to engage in discussions, so please jump in! I recently read a great article by Heidi Cohen from Riverside Marketing Strategies called 10 Tips for Social Media Introverts that outlined 10 tips for those on the sidelines to jump in. Here are some highlights:
- Decide how you want to position yourself on the platforms you decide to participate in.
- Stake out your name on those platforms and determine how you will set yourself apart.
- Participate in activities like Twitter-Chats and on LinkenIn groups.
- Share your knowledge, after all that’s why folks are on these sites in the first place.
- Look at the big picture. You certainly don’t have all the answers, so when you read a good post from someone else, pay it forward by Tweeting about it or linking to it in one of your posts.
Social media isn’t going away, so you’re better off accepting that fact and jumping in. I promise we won’t bite.
