1. Use Snapchat geofilters to build your brand
Snapchat geofilters overlay an image onto the photo on your screen, in much the same way normal Snapchat filters do. However Geofilters are only available in certain locations, for instance when you activate Snapchat outside Buckingham palace, you are given the option to add an exclusive Westminster logo, inclusive of crown and rain cloud (nothing says England like a rain could).
You are probably wondering what this has to do with your brand? After all this just looks like a fad, with no real purpose except to add some entertainment value for the user. But these Geofilters actually offer huge opportunities for marketers. Through these Geofilters you can put your brand anywhere you want, and actually ensure it is seen. Want to point a busy commuter towards a hot coffee? You can. Want to direct a tourist to an attraction? Not a problem.
The filters show up in a Snapchat account automatically, and curiosity alone can cause users to click on them. This is a direct interaction with your audience in real time, this isn’t a chance to promote something they might want in the future, but predicting behavioral patterns and anticipating their needs as and when they occur.
2. Learn how to use a Hashtag
Hashtags are everywhere, it’s now not uncommon for people to put multiples hashtags after photos, videos, links, blogs and whatever else you can think of. So recognizable are hashtags, that they can be found in the English dictionary and they are now the most popular way of categorizing content on social media.
With hashtags being so prevalent and people using them for #anything, it’s surprisingly easy for brands to learn how to use them correctly and maximize their reach. When using hashtags it is important to be specific, use words and phrases that will appeal to specific online community, but don’t make them too long or too complex. Abbreviations are a no no, unless they are something well known. You also don’t have to make all your hashtags too brand specific, you can come up with ideas that represent your brand ethics. However, don’t make the mistake of hashtagging everything, over saturation can lean to disinterest in the brand.
3. Your business should be on LinkedIN
This almost goes without saying, but it’s surprising how many smaller companies aren’t on LinkedIN. It is the largest professional online network, boasting over 450million users. To put it bluntly, to be a credible business you need to have a presence on LinkedIN. Plus it also gives smaller ventures a chance to sit shoulder to shoulder with large multinational competitors.
LinkedIN is not just a recruitment tool as some think it is, it gives business’s a chance to connect with new suppliers and customers. It also enables direct business to business marketing. Each connection being a chance to build relationships with customers and vendors alike.
4. Monitor your social media
While awareness and engagement are two of the key aspects to social media marketing, one area often overlooked by brands is social listening, the process of monitoring exactly how consumers respond to your campaign.
The relative anonymity of social media, or at least the lack of any direct face to face interaction, means consumers will be more forward with their opinions than they would in day to day life. Social listening allows marketers to find out exactly what consumers are saying about their brands. It also allows you to track key industry words and competitors, meaning you able to assess your overall reach, compared to your competitors.
One shouldn’t underestimate the impact of social listening, it can help you keep on top of market trends and find out exactly what consumers think of your brand, and hopefully help you take action to improve it
5. Be consistent
Social media never sleeps, 1.13 billion people use Facebook everyday 24 hours. The key to a successful digital marketing strategy is to deliver regular content of a high quality.
Sounds like a no brainer, but timing is everything, make sure you deliver content to the right audience at the right time. Most social networking allows you to schedule posts for a particular date and time, meaning you can ensure the right demographic in the right territory receive a targeted update at an appropriate time.
You can also use programs like Edgar, a social media scheduler that will help you distribute your content over the correct platforms at the right time. It will also categorize your posts, to ensure you aren’t posting content with similar themes and subjects in close proximity to each other.
Don’t be a afraid to recycle quick updates into longer blog posts that are scheduled intermittently. This offers those customers who may have missed a particular update an opportunity to catch up and gives you the chance to expand on the detail.