Do you have a social media marketing plan in place?

Guest post by Blog Manager Robbi Hess

As an entrepreneur, author or freelance writer you know you need to have a marketing plan in place to get your name “out there,” whether to drive book sales, sales of the goods or services you offer or to land writing gigs. You also know that adding social media into the mix of all you have to do on a daily basis can be a daunting task, but it must be done.

If you put together a social media platform, chances are you can keep up with it in less than 15 minutes a day, if you take some time to pre-plan the time you spend on social media. As anyone knows, it is very easy to get bogged down in replying to status updates and to reading the status feeds in your Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and now Google+ accounts.

You still might not be sold on why you even need to have a social media presence, but I am here to tell you that you do and explain why:

1.  Facebook – (at this point still the most popular social media networking platform, but if the industry insiders are right, Google+ is quickly overtaking it) This platform helps you build on client attraction, whether from potential clients who want to buy your goods or services, purchase your book or hire you for a writing job. Facebook is a great platform to interact with potential and current clients. Today’s consumers want to know who they are dealing with and feel they connect with them on a personal level. Also, if you post articles or blog posts you can spread the word through your social media platform. Comment on your follower’s status updates. Pass along interesting information related to your industry. “Friend” people in your industry or people you’d like to get to know.
2. LinkedIn – this is a professional business platform and is a way to garner client interest. Join groups in your industry, answer questions and become known for your expertise. Ask questions as a way to undertake market research. Use this platform for both attracting, retaining and recruiting clients.
3. Twitter – this platform allows you to offer up brief, 140 character, sound bites. Create lists within your Twitter account that are specific to your particular area of interest. If you have a free report, or a quote from your book, or are offering a particular deal on your writing or editing services, Tweet about it once a week, ask people to Re-Tweet your posts as a way to help you spread the word. Make certain if you’re offering a report that it gives information people can use and is not merely an item you’re trying to sell. Use a #hashtag as a way for people to find your Tweet. For example, #writing tips (if people are searching for writing tips, they will find your Tweet).

Building relationships is the name of the game with any social media platform. Don’t turn people away from your pages by continually trying to sell them something. Offer information of interest. To prevent yourself from becoming bogged down in your social media updating, put together an “editorial calendar” for your social media status updates. For example: Mondays could be re-tweeting industry information; Tuesday, a quote from your book or free report; Wednesday, trivia day; Thursday, your free offer day; Friday, get personal tell your followers what your weekend plans are and ask what they’re doing.

If you find yourself spending too much time on social media, set a timer, spend 15 minutes per platform and watch your following grow!

 

 

 

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As your company prepares to open the doors to 2012, ask yourself if your business has social media in place for your marketing plans over the next 12 months. If the answer is no, then rethink that strategy.