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  If in this century and time, you still think that social media networking platforms are just for interactions, sharing pictures, and posting updates then you’re so wrong. Social media slowly crept into our lives and has become an integral part of it.
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Smart business owners noticed it, capitalized on this, and initiated the concept of social media marketing. The idea of social media marketing has enabled people to earn money through promotions and increase awareness for their brand. With a successful social media marketing strategy, you’ll be able to take your brand to the next level. Here’s what you stand to gain:
  1. Increased Brand Awareness: Through social media platforms, brands can announce themselves and make their presence known to a highly populated audience. There is no limit to the number of people you can reach through social media.
  2. Build Customer Relationship: Social media platforms have made it possible for brands to interact and engage their customers through opinions polls, comments, etc. In our world of today, you don’t need to stress yourself looking for a company’s physical location to render your complaints or suggestions. This fosters a personal relationship between brands and their customers and builds trust and loyalty.
  3. Increase Sales: The primary purpose of advertising and marketing is to make profits. Social media marketing strategies have made it easier for customers to make purchases through some smart features such as Instagram check out, Facebook shop options, link redirecting, etc.
  4. Generate Traffic: A strong social media marketing strategy helps entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams of generating massive traffic. Through these, the number of followers you have increased over time and if they like what you offer, they patronize you.
  5. It’s affordable: Signing up and building your profile on these social media platforms are free, so you don’t need to bother about registration charges.

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Now let’s get right into business. How can you develop an effective marketing strategy?
  1. State your Goals: This is very important else, you might end up not achieving much or not achieving anything at all. Your goals should be SMART ( Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely). Without this, you won’t know what to achieve or how to measure what you achieved. These goals should align with your marketing plans. Some of these goals could be: to increase traffic, gain more followers, build customer relationships, etc.
  2. Audience Research: Assumption is costly in marketing. Your social media marketing strategy should involve audience research or survey, this will help you know who your customers are and where you can find them, so you can provide what they need. You can’t make sales if you don’t know where your customers are. This information helps you tailor your content to suit their needs and push them to patronize your brand. Always remember that different platforms attract different audiences.
  3. Organize Online Contests: This always does the magic of increasing brand awareness, visibility, and engagements. To achieve this, you have to create value thus generating an irresistible offer to your audience. You can organize giveaways, talent exhibitions, etc. Then you can decide which social media platform to use, set a deadline, create the contest, promote it and give rewards.
  4. Create Sellable and Engaging Contents: To capture and hold your customers’ attention, you have to come up with interesting content containing a hook, story, and an offer. Upload pictures, schedule live videos, tell stories, etc.
  5. Be Active: Out of sight they say, is out of mind. You need to be very consistent in engaging your audience. Don’t post today and post again next month. Make a schedule on how and when to post on your social media platforms. If possible, you can hire a social media manager whose job will be solely to manage the company’s social media accounts. With this, you will be active and also be able to concentrate on other areas.
This and many more are effective social media marketing strategy and the beautiful thing is that you can always assess your progress, evaluate your strategy and make adjustments to your content where necessary. Featured Image Source: Ameya eMarketing
Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com

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This article was first published on 27th December 2021 and updated on January 5th, 2022 at 12:50 am

chidiogo-akaelu

Chidiogo Shalom Akaelu holds a degree in English and Literary Studies, from the University of Nigeria. She is a freelance writer, editor and founder of Loana Press, a budding online publishing outlet.


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