Social Media - Simple Steps to Get Started
As I’m reading the MarketingSherpa research the lasting impression I get is that most people think of the really difficult things. In fact, many of the techniques they talk about are simple. I also notice how the research lumps a lot of things under social media. It’s a bit too high level and vague so far in that regard.
Many techniques discussed aren’t things I call social media. For example, I don’t think of blogging as social media. However, it is shareable. By add simple pieces to a blog, it becomes more social (or should I say shareable). Notice the Dilbert blog (hugely philosophical). At the end of every post there’s a link to print off the post, email it, or add it to various bookmarking and social networking sites. You can also rate posts.
When I think of social media marketing success I think of HP’s success. I interviewed the agency who ran it and it was not only very high touch, but expensive. Probably my favorite social media technique are contests that are fun and that reward people for telling their friends. These are things most businesses can afford and can implement.
Here are some great articles from Search Engine Land about social media:
- This one breaks down the various types of social media sites
- What to expect from a social media campaign
My favorite social media site is still Twitter. Some businesses won’t see a good result, but others are perfect. Everyone eats and so restaurants are a great fit. I’m impressed with what I’ve seen from restaurants on Twitter, and it’s an idea that’s easy to steal. These are locally owned restaurants that have really increased their visibility by giving away free meals and exclusive discounts to their followers.
I went to an amazing Italian restaurant in Layton Utah with my husband for Valentine’s Day and they’d be ideal for this kind of marketing. They have live bands, they make their food fresh, and there’s a lot to talk about.
Example: Costa Vita
FREE SWEET PORK BURRITO! Tue Feb 17, 2009 only. 1 per Guest. FOLLOW Costa Vida & get more @ twitter.com/costavida. Fwd the joy to Friends.
If you just started following @CostaVida on your Mobile Device, send us a DM and we’ll resend you todays offer.
Example: Guru’s Cafe
Win a FREE meal: in 140 characters tell me what you like (or don’t like) about Guru’s Cafe! Three winners will be picked randomly in 30 min!
Enter to win a FREE meal from @guruscafe, only 5 minutes left!
Congrats @hollylynnsays, @GUNDERBUM, and @JMunk for winning a FREE meal from Guru’s Cafe! Please direct message me for details on your win!!
I love how Guru’s has announced the contest, given a reminder, and then reported back on the winners. The winners get exposure which is key on Twitter. Plus free food is always a draw.
What other simple ways could you market on a social media site like Twitter? What has worked best for you?
4 Responses to “Social Media - Simple Steps to Get Started”
Leave a Reply
February 17th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Excellent blog! Thanks! I found the resources particularly instructive.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Perry - if I didn’t know you I’d think that was spam! Thanks for stopping by.
-Janet
February 21st, 2009 at 4:37 am
Spam? Hmmmm, not sure how to read that. Anyway, you are welcome. I did enjoy the blog and links.
June 29th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
[...] I am going to come clean on this one… I am a recent convert. Back in the day I was reading a popular local entrepreneur blog who would sometimes pimp this blogger. I tried to read her and found her well…snooty. I now find her writing more palatable. She has some very good insights into online marketing. I am glad that I have rediscovered her blog and have changed my opinion. She is a local Utah blogger. I liked this post: Social Media – Simple Steps to Get Started [...]