3 Quick Tips for Social Media Success

So you've heard of success story after success story about how social media seems to be working for everyone else, but it doesn't seem to pay off for you.  Here's a few quick tips to help you reach your social media goals.

Make the Right Connections

This first point is where many people get it wrong.  Some people look at social media for their business as a way to reach the largest audience possible.  To tell you the truth, I'd much rather reach a small, targeted audience than a huge, largely uninterested audience.  If you're looking for connections that are relevant to you, check out the groups on Facebook and LinkedIn and the Twitter directory.

Show Off Your Profiles

Just like any other website, what good is a social media profile if you don't tell anyone about it?  Think about some creative and easy ways to promote the fact that you have a presence in social media.

Put links to your profiles in prominent or predictable places on your website.  Include the URLs on your business cards.  Post the URLs in forums and groups that you participate in.  Encourage customers to visit your profile and leave comments or reviews of what you provided for them.

Remember That Social Media is a Conversation

This is probably the most important tip that I can give that the majority of those who are not seeing success in social media are failing at.  It is natural in business to focus on what provides the best measurable ROI in marketing efforts.  We often forget that social media is not about marketing to customers, it is about conversing with customers and building a strong relationship.