I have a client whose business would be perfect for social media – particularly Facebook. But he is very reluctant to use this tool for his business because he doesn’t see the ROI. I’ve tried explaining to him that he’s not necessarily going to see a payoff right away because success on Facebook doesn’t happen overnight, and you have to keep working at it to see results.
That’s when it occurred to me that there is a basic formula marketers should follow when it comes to using social media: Purpose, Patience, Persistence, Passion and Profit.
5 P’s of Social Media Marketing
1. Purpose – Before you create a Facebook page, start Tweeting or writing a blog, it’s important to figure out what you hope to accomplish. Do you want to create brand awareness? Do you want to provide a new outlet for customer relations? Do you want to sell your products/services? The answers to these questions will help you determine which social networking tool is right for you, as well as guide you in the content you provide.
2. Patience – For some business owners, this seems to be the hardest task to master with social media. There’s a saying that is appropriate when it comes to Facebook, etc.: “All good things come to those who wait.” It takes time to build a following on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. This is not the place for overnight success, although there will always be exceptions to this rule – think Gary Vaynerchuk for one! But if you’re patient and you follow my next rule, success can be yours.
3. Persistence – Once you start social media marketing, stay with it. Be consistent. Post regularly on your Facebook page – every day, not just once a week or every two weeks. Same with your blog. Same with Twitter, YouTube, etc. Set a regular schedule, so you can build a loyal following and have the opportunity to convert those followers into customers.
4. Passion – If ever there was a key ingredient in social media – this is it! If you’re not passionate about your business, why would your prospects be? Social networking is about connecting with people. They can tell if you’re sincere or not. If you can share your passion about the products or services you represent, your prospects will want you to sell to them!
5. Profit – At the end of the day, this is why you’re in business, right? To make a profit. If you follow the other 4 P’s of purpose, patience, persistence and passion, there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t be able to generate a profit from social media marketing.
If you need help implementing your social media marketing strategy, contact me today for a free consultation.
