Why does social media have to be social?

When posting to social media we often get caught up in the marketing, marketing, marketing mode. We push our products and services relentlessly and wonder why our sales are still not going up. The problem is that people want to be engaged and entertained unless they are specifically looking for a product or service. That being said if you really want to know how to get people talking with you about your brand you have to put the social back in social media.

There are a number of great ways to do this. First, you need to do more than just advertise your products – you need to engage your audience. How can you get people talking? Well, simply think about what you would find interesting and start from there. Then take a look at your initial posts, pictures, jokes, videos, etc., and you will begin to gauge how effective your efforts have been.

The next step is to use this information and change your strategy accordingly. For example, when your followers make a comment it is important that you comment back as quickly as possible. This should happen in a timely manner because if you are slow with a reply people tend to lose interest quickly. Start a conversation and get your audience involved. Also, browse their pages and other social media accounts. Go ahead and Like their posts and pages as well. This will make them more likely to come back and see what type of conversation is going on right now over at your site or on your social networks.

Although use of political and religious ideas are good way to start an engagement you have to be careful about the content as much of the input you may receive could be negative in nature. You do not want to totally alienate those who do not share your views. Keeping things neutral can be difficult with such combustible topics. With that said if your views and beliefs are tied to the core of who you are and what your company or business believe then by all means use them with your best judgment.

Keeping yourself professional is always a juggling act when posting funny content such as jokes or videos. The best rule of thumb is to not post anything that you would not want someone posting to your page or website. Keep a good representation of yourself within your chosen field.

All of this work just serves to show your audience that you are a human being too. You lead lives yourselves that are not too different from the ones that they live. You have feelings and interests, you work and have family and friends who you care for and whom care for you in return, and above all else you are not just solely about selling them a products.

When your customers and followers are engaged they are more likely to revisit your page, and that is where the posts and articles about your products get noticed. On top of that, if they see and interact with your businesses social media presence every day they are more likely to look you up first to see if you have what they need or want. Social Media is a truly outstanding marketing tool as long as you remember the number one rule – social media HAS to be social.