Social media marketing refers to the process of gaining website traffic or attention through social media sites.

Social media marketing programs usually center on efforts to create content that attracts attention and encourages readers to share it with their social networks. A corporate message spreads from user to user and presumably resonates because it appears to come from a trusted, third-party source, as opposed to the brand or company itself. Hence, this form of marketing is driven by word-of-mouth, meaning it results in earned media rather than paid media.

Social media has become a platform that is easily accessible to anyone with internet access. Increased communication for organizations fosters brand awareness and often, improved customer service. Additionally, social media serves as a relatively inexpensive platform for organizations to implement marketing campaigns.

What is Social Media Marketing in Social MarCom laymen’s terms?

The beauty of Social Media Marketing is there is no right or wrong, only non-existent.  Doing nothing is certainly easy, but like every other wave and change you either embrace it or stay stagnant.  Social Media Marketing does not have to be done by a fancy, expensive Madison Ave. firm, it is simply just a business owner establishing Social Accounts, and spending some time on branding.  Nothing crazy, just uploading their logo, entering the business or product descriptions. Start building a network, with your customers, friends, family, neighbors, community leaders, and this takes time so don’t worry.  During the process of building out a network, start using your Social Accounts, Blog and website to keep people informed and updated on you, your business, your industry or even the products you sell.  Being consistant in content publishing will provide dividends over time, just keep at it.  Be a thought leader.  Be a person that follows other thought leader and quote their work and add your own commentary.  Or do a combination of the two.

A video about Social Media and how it can help you engage your target audience

Type of content to make available:

As you’re doing Social Media Marketing all types of content is relevant.  Here are some suggestion and examples:

• White papers
• Posting updates just to wish your customers a good day and hope to see them soon
• Post special offers
• Pictures
• Videos
• Logos and banners
• Using your Blog as a Press Release to announce new happenings
• Presentations – PowerPoint and PDF’s to tell a story or pitch a service