Is Social Media Marketing Dying?
The Short Answer: No—But It Is Changing
Social media marketing is an essential part of your outreach portfolio in 2020, and that’s going to remain the case until social media ceases to be as impacting as it is to society. That day likely won’t come any time soon. In fact, the present time has seen a distinct spike in social media utility.
Marketing across this platform isn’t even “injured”, much less dead. But it is changing. Following we’ll briefly explore a few different ways you can maximize social media for your business.
Organic Content
Firstly, it makes sense to continuously push products and services on varying social media channels, but you’ve got to be careful not to annoy your followers. You want to be “oblique”. That is to say: you want your marketing to come to the reader’s mind in a sort of backhanded way. Maybe you start a debate or initiate conversations with competitors.
You’ve likely got strong opinions about competitors and sub-par versions of your product or services. Share why yours is better, and let your passion out—factually. Also, you want to produce articles, blog posts, white papers, videos, and pictures that are eminently sharable and positioned for SEO maximization. Simply assure brand compatibility, and use what works.
Organic content doesn’t feel contrived, so it’s best to use topics about which you or those running your social media campaign are knowledgeable. Also, share positive reviews when they develop; these can be a great way of showing how third parties appreciate what you’ve done.
Potential clients are more likely to believe third parties than direct testimony from those within your organization. Of course, you’re going to sing your good graces; but when others outside your company do the same, that’s ultimately much more compelling.
Staying On Top Of New Social Media Channels
Though social media marketing isn’t dying, and likely never will, social media channels do have a shelf life. Remember MySpace? That platform imploded and faded away years ago. It’s hard to conceive of a platform like Facebook going the same way, but it very well could. So have a strong presence on sites like Facebook, but additionally, explore other social media avenues.
You want to use different social media for different outreach. Facebook helps people get to know your brand, Instagram is good for going viral with a funny or informative video, and Twitter is great for directly communicating with your demographic, as answers must be kept short; meaning multiple dialogues are manageable.
So get a handle on existing social media, but keep an eye on new options as well. Right now TikTok is hot. Snapchat was hot. The next “big thing” is around the corner, and to be safe, you want to have an account you update on a regular basis across any platform that’s freely available for your use. Get a social media manager and keep them on it.
Research And Consultation Inform Social Media Outreach
As the saying goes, you don’t know what you don’t know. It’s important to determine which particular sites are most appropriate for your business in terms of social media outreach, and how to properly use them.
The truth of the matter is that there are endless ways to do social media content strategy; it’s just that some work better than others. Consultation reveals the best strategies for your company. Research can help you find the best consultants.
Getting The Most From Social Media Marketing: It’s Not Dead Yet
Right now, social media isn’t dead. The likelihood is, it will continue to be a very effective means of communicating, spreading your visibility, and reaching target demographics. However, you’ve got to do the job right. It’s essential to determine your best means of outreach, and consultation is key for that.
Research to find such methods, as well as marketers to help you attain proper marketing ROI or Return On Investment. You’ll have to change up your strategy, and keep well aware of trends in the industry. New social media options are developing all the time, and none of them are equal.
They all have their strengths and weaknesses, and they tend to reach different demographics as well. So keep a solid presence on all of them to cover your bases, and regularly update associated profiles.
Author: Usman Raza is the co-founder of a Church Marketing Company and marketing strategist working with various brands online. Usman is the content marketing manager at an Email Marketing Agency, WordPress Customization Service, and Nano Hearing Aids. He is devoted to helping small businesses bridge success gaps by providing in-depth, actionable advice on digital marketing, SEO, and small business growth. Follow him on Twitter @usmanintrotech.
Social Media Marketing: How To Effectively Market Your Products And Services