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WHERE BUSINESSES GO TO GROW

Developing a Social Media Strategy for 2012

BY Peg McDermott on Jan 06, 2012 / IN Social Media, Social Policy

2012 is finally here, which means you have a clean slate to build an improved social media strategy that will better benefit your business in the coming months. Here are some things to keep in mind when constructing your strategy for this year:

Don’t only promote your own stuff. No one wants to listen to you talk about your product or service incessantly. Remember that social media issocial before all else – you can talk normally and share other content while still being informative and helpful about your business, and it will make you seem more like a real person.

Do answer people who message you. Communication is important. People remember when they are ignored, and they also remember when they get a prompt response. Which way do you want to be remembered?

Do keep tabs on your accounts. If your Facebook or Twitter account is just sitting there gathering dust, people will notice, and they’ll get the feeling that you’re not engaged with your online audience. If your accounts appear abandoned, chances are people won’t come back to check again.

Do train your employees on the company culture before giving them social media access. There’s no better medicine than prevention, so to avoid embarrassing social media disasters in your business, make sure each employee fully understands your social media guidelines, and what image the company is trying to convey.


Do learn where your customers are. You simply cannot give an adequate amount of time to every social network, so don’t fall into the trap of signing up everywhere and spreading yourself too thin. Instead, do some research and learn where your customers and your target market are most likely to be, and spend the majority of your social media effort on those networks. Two or three networks is more than enough.

Don’t send auto-DMs. Nothing says “we don’t really care about you” like sending the same automatic message out to everyone. Take the time to write your direct messages personally, and avoid sounding like you’re quoting from a form letter.

Do follow people with whom you’re engaged in conversation online. If you’re talking to someone online, you can assume they talk to others, as well. Use this to your advantage – follow people you’re engaged with and watch your own network grow.

If you need help developing a strategy, please call me at 703-885-8406 or email us at: info@cogoresults.com.

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