Social Media Marketing: Where is the Money

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Where is the money?

Many businesses ask this question about social media.

If you have this question in mind as well then keep reading and I am sure you will get the answer in less than 5 minutes.

Social media is like a phone and every business use phone in almost every department as well as using it for sales and marketing.

Do you ask where is the money before investing in a phone system to use in the following departments?

  • Administration
  • HR
  • Operations
  • Customer services

I don’t think so, because we all know that there are plenty of other things apart from the actual sale you normally do in a business to complete the transaction and earn money.

Similarly to accomplish any goal with social media, first thing you need to do is to decide clearly why you want to use social media for your business.

Because skill sets for using social media to increase sales or hire some one for your company are totally different.

Here are the few ways you can leverage social media tools:

  • For Product Research
  • Branding
  • Protect Online Reputation
  • SEO Benefits
  • Enhancing Your Public Relations
  • Customer Services
  • Community Nurturing
  • Driving Sales and Leads

Once you decide the one or more goals of using social media then you should plan your specific action steps accordingly to accomplish your goal (s).

You just can’t assume to increase your sales by doing random stuff on social media. Especially if you want to increase your sales and leads then you got to use social media really strategically in all of the above sections of your business.

If you are just starting out on social media marketing and have some existing clients, try to start using social media as a customer services tool first. This will help you to build social proof such as blog comments, activity on your Facebook page, testimonials etc.

It’s like often people prefer to go to a busy restaurants compare to an empty one. Building social proof is lot easier with people you already know compare to those who don’t know you or never experienced your product or service.

Here is a tip!

Have you ever called to your bank for your account query and end up buying some sort of insurance?

I am sure you can relate to this.

This is an ideal example of cross selling through customer services.

How are you using social media marketing for your business? Can you share your one specific goal in the comments below?

 

Photo credit: webtreats

About Rana

Rana is an Internet Marketing Consultant and the founder of All Marketing Solutions. He is helping small businesses to create online visibility, build authority and get more leads using social media. Google+

  • http://evenminds.com/ Jason Anthony

    Social media is simply a vehicle (like you mentioned with the telephone) and you have to have a plan of action behind it or it wont go anywhere. 

    Just like taking a road trip without a map/GPS =)

    You’re bullets on leveraging are a great resource and reminder of ways to use these tools.  Great resource, Rana!

    • http://www.ranashahbaz.com/ Rana Shahbaz

      Thank you Jason for sharing your thoughts and I am glad you picked up some value from this post. 

  • http://twitter.com/MightyWiseMedia Eric T. Wagner

    Hi Rana…  You know, it’s funny. But I think most business people stick “social media” in a box and think it’s “just another thing” they can do in their business.

    Crazy thing is?  It should be at the center of every business!  Goodness.  The unbelievable power of having access to millions of people who are one-click away is amazing.  

    Engage, engage, engage….  :-)

    Thanks Rana….

    Eric

    • http://www.ranashahbaz.com/ Rana Shahbaz

      I really like this Eric “It should be at the center of every business!” 

      Thank you for adding your valuable thoughts.

  • Annika

    Rana, I’m glad that your first step recommended clarifying the objective of a business’ social media engagement. Questions like: Why am I here? Who do I want to connect with? What do I want to say/share with them? What action do I want these people to take? Basic, basic questions that many people cannot answer and then wonder why they’re getting no traction.

    • http://www.ranashahbaz.com/ Rana Shahbaz

      You can’t do the social media if you don’t have the answers to all the questions you mentioned. Thank you for adding value to this post. 

  • Meagan

    Great post Rana! I like how you compared social media to a phone system in a business & how it’s used by several different departments that are all part of that business. 

    I hadn’t really even considered some to the goals you mentioned having when it comes to using social media for our businesses. I think I mainly used Facebook to engage my followers, but I’d like to up using it to drive sales & leads. I use Twitter to network & build relationships with peers mostly, but community nurturing is something to think about. 

    You’ve given me a lot to think about. I definitely need to look into using social media for my business in a new way. Thanks so much. 

    • http://www.ranashahbaz.com/ Rana Shahbaz

      I am glad Meagan that you liked the post and found some to use for your business. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

  • http://ryzeonline.com/ JasonFonceca

    I like, Meagan, also love the phone system comparison.

    Really, really great look at it, Rana. Clarifies a lot about social media :)

    Thanks for this.

    I have a strong, pure, focused message, and I intend for social media to play a substantial role in it spreading. :)

    • http://www.ranashahbaz.com/ Rana Shahbaz

      Jason I am glad you liked the comparison and thank you for taking time to comment as well

  • http://www.productivesuperdad.com/ Timo Kiander

    Rana,

    Thanks for this!

    This information helps me to develop my social media strategy (as it’s non-existent right now).

    Do you think that there should be a separate goal for different social media platforms or can you apply the same goal to each and every one of them (Twitter, Facebook, Google+ …)?

    Cheers,
    Timo

    • http://www.ranashahbaz.com/ Rana Shahbaz

      Thank you Timo for asking the question.

       

      I think there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to
      using these channels for single or multiple purposes.

       

      Most channels have the capabilities which you can use it for
      multiple purposes. But I think you should approach like a gym approach. It is
      not necessary that if some thing worked for me will be good for you as well.

       

      Test, try and find your own sweet spot where you will be
      comfortable using it and orchestrate it.

       

      I hope this will help J

  • Kitty Kilian

    I am tweeting about blogging, writing and creativity mainly. Which is what the Blogstylers are all about. I retweet a lot and try to point top interesting content. It is working well and it feels good and natural!

  • http://www.rightmixmarketing.com Tom Treanor

    Rana, I really love your analogy – social media is like the phone. Used by all departments but no one questions the value. Social media can add a ton of value if used in focused ways in each department (but can also be a time-waster if not).

    My goal – use social media as a distribution mechanism for content (which draws visitors back to the site and to the list). Thanks for posting!

  • http://affectselling.com/ Peter Sandeen

    Hi Rana,

    This is the best explanation of how social media should be used for business I’ve read so far. Comparing it to a phone should make it dead obvious to everyone regardless of their knowledge of social media tools/marketing.

    For me, social media is a referral tool; I get my content to reach more people through social media.