JEM Marketing Blog

Today, almost everyone has some presence on at least one social media site. Currently, Facebook has over 1 billion users, LinkedIn has over 189 million and Twitter hit over 500 million in 2012. Even considering the fake accounts, duplicates and other scenarios, there are still a lot of people to interact with via social media.

These social media platforms each have their own guidelines, best practices, and nuances as to how to use them most effectively. Sadly, many people do not take the time to learn about these guidelines and best practices, and the result is that many people are using them not only ineffectively, but inappropriately.

Here are some common sense rules to follow, regardless of which social media platform you are using. Actually, if you really think about it, the only one you need is number one, as the rest will all follow naturally if you practice the first one.

#1 - Be Polite on Social Media

Do not say something on a social media site that you would not say if you were standing face to face with that person in a room.

#2 - Do Not Spam

It's ok to promote your products or services occasionally, but make sure that you are always offering something of value to your audience and that your offering is relevant to the forum on which you are posting.

#3 - Do Not Promote Yourself on Someone Else's Page

It is simply bad form to post something on someone else's Facebook page that promotes yourself, your company or your product or services.

#4 - Do Not Personalize Your Comments

It is fine to disagree with a comment on a page or in a forum, and to offer a different or opposing opinion, but make sure that you stay on subject and do not personalize your remarks.

#5 - Follow the Rules

Most groups on Facebook and LinkedIn have rules posted which explain what can and can't be posted or what the intent of the group is. Make sure that your post, comment or question is relevant to the group or forum where you're posting.

As a social media consultant, I have seen too many instances of people not using these simple rules in their approach to social media marketing. If you would like more information about social media, please become a fan of my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JEMmarketing and/or follow me on Twitter @JEMmarketingLI.

By now, most of us are aware of the term social media marketing, but how many of us really know what it means and how to use it?  The word “social” is a big clue that is often being overlooked.  Social media marketing is meant to engage people in conversation and conversations need to be two-sided.  The term “inbound marketing” is also heard very often these days in relation to social media marketing.  But what does it mean?

Inbound marketing is the art of drawing your audience (and potential customers) to you through the use of social media platforms such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and so on.  How do you draw your audience in?  You provide relevant content, information, how-to’s, and cite examples that are in line with your point of view on a given topic, based on your product and/or services.  Your goal should be to provide the answer in anticipation of the question.  The objective of social media marketing is to start a two-way dialog, to relate to the needs of your audience and to provide information about a benefit or solution.  In this way, your audience responds to you, appreciates the communication you offer, and looks to you to provide additional information, benefits or solutions.