Small Business

    Business 101: Smart Social Media – How to Design an Effective Social Media Campaign

    Lissa DutyBy Updated:7 Comments3 Mins Read

    Just because registering an account on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn only takes minutes doesn’t mean that’s all the time you should dedicate to building your social media campaign. A successful social media campaign takes time, dedication and consistent branding.

    Building a Foundation for your Social Media Campaign

    #1: A Social Media-Friendly Website – More and more as networking turns into online networking your website is your virtual business card. It is essential to make that first impression a good one with a top-notch quality website. Don’t forget to include the social media icons linking web visitors to you on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and any other sites you are active on.

    #2: Set up your Social Media Accounts – Claim your name and your business name for Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Complete your profile and upload your headshot or business logo, whichever applies, remembering to use key words that your target audience may use to find you.

    #3: Register your Twitter Account(s) – Register on Twellow.com, WeFollow.com, Listorious.com and Twibes.com. Wherever applicable, list your ID in the appropriate categories and complete the expanded bio.

    #4: Build Connections – Search Twellow.com based on keywords and categories and follow those that would be your ideal client. Join LinkedIn groups and participate in discussions and connect with fellow group members.

    #5: Register with Business Directory Sites – Get listed on other business directory sites, including your social media profiles. For a complete list of directory sites, read “Social Everywhere – Simple Steps to Build Your Social Media Presence”.

    #6: Create a Content Strategy – Content is the key to social media success. Share information that would interest your followers and attract your ideal client. Make sure when sharing content you are not being too salesy. Don’t get me wrong! It’s okay every now and then to promote your business, but proceed with caution – too much promotion and you can TURN OFF your audience and they will TUNE YOU OUT.

    #7: Use a RSS Reader – Set up an RSS reader like Google Reader to subscribe to blogs to source other interesting content to share in social media.

    #8: Set up Google Alerts – Use Google Alerts to monitor your name, business name and key words and search for relevant content to share. Set the alerts to go to your Google Reader instead of your email to avoid overloading your inbox with alerts.

    The key to success in social media is to focus on one or two social networks to start with and then once you have achieved success on those networks, start expanding to new sites instead of overwhelming yourself from the get-go. Remember, the most important step to a successful social media campaign is to actually get started!

    Want help with your social media? Connect with Social Media VA, Lissa Duty at LissaDuty.com, Facebook and Twitter.

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    Lissa Duty has worked in a variety of administrative, marketing, management and executive support roles for 20 years. She is currently using her passion, energy and marketing talents to assist her clients in growing their business and network via social networking websites, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. In addition to social media marketing, Lissa is a virtual assistant, providing administrative support to small business owners and consultants around the globe, from general administrative duties to creating their newsletters, website mainteneance and scheduling their webinars. For more information about Lissa Duty visit www.LissaDuty.com. You can also connect with Lissa on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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    7 Comments

    1. AllieRambles on

      Great points. I think you nailed it at #1. People will get involved online socially, get visitors to their site and then loose them forever because the visitor can’t find the Twitter button or an RSS feed. It is so important to have the basics and a little more. Make your blog comment friendly and follow up in replying on comments. If you are active with a certain forum, place a button there or something for your readers to click to find you at that site.

      Stay social, don’t give up. It gets more fun and will pay off eventually.

    5. Ana Lucia Novak on

      Hi Lissa, this is a great post, very thorough! Totally appreciate the list from “Social Everywhere – Simple Steps to Build Your Social Media Presence”, great reminders!

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    7. Ant10a on

      Lisa
      I LOVE this post. Very helpful to a beginner and even someone with experience using social media. would love to repost on my blog moreaboutsoicalmedia.blogspot . . . with your permission of course!

      Lynee