10 Simple Social Media Tips Every Beginner Should Know [List]

Today, social media has changed the way companies market themselves online. Websites like Facebook, Twitter and Google+ can build businesses and build brand recognition globally. The following are 10 simple social media tips every beginner should know:

1. Go where the people are. There are dozens upon dozens of social media websites out there; however, there are only truly two sites that control the bulk of the social media traffic on the web: Facebook and Twitter. Start with these two sites and then build your virtual presences at other less-trafficked sites.
2. Build a realistic profile. If you’re a small mom-and-pop business, don’t try to make yourself look like a large conglomerate. This might be tempting, given the fact that the Internet does offer a level of anonymity; however, it’s better to be forthright with your customers.
3. Keep the content flowing. You want to keep your business’ name at the front of your customers’ minds. To do this with social media, keep interesting and relevant content flowing through your social media profiles. This will encourage potential customers to follow you virtually.
4. Take advantage of inexpensive paid advertising through social media channels. Facebook ads, for example, can be run for literally pennies. Plus, they can highly target your ads to users with very specific demographics and run on very limited budgets.
5. Include social media sharing tools on your blog. Post a link to every high quality blog post you write to your social media profiles. On your blog itself, you should have social media tools so that readers can easily share your posts. For instance, be sure to include a “Like” button for Facebook and “Tweet This” button for Twitter. That way, readers can easily share your posts with their friends.
   

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6. Use social media to entertain. Customers don’t want to read unending boring advertisements; they’d much rather be entertained. Look at the popularity of Super Bowl commercials. Social media is no different; you’ll capture more attention if you entertain.
7. Be transparent, to a point. Although exploring the world of social media will mean an increased level of involvement with your customers, this increased transparency doesn’t mean you have to — or should — show your customers everything.
8. Make sure your content has value. Your social media content should have value to your customers. Internet users are inundated with information. If your content is perceived as trivial, you can bet visitors won’t come back for more.
9. Make social media part of your marketing plan. If your company is going to use social media, then don’t do it as an afterthought. Make it a formal part of your marketing plan with specific measurable goals.
10. Understand that an increase in social media followers may not directly equal an increase in revenue. Although social media is a powerful marketing tool for building customer relationships and building your company’s brand, it is a unique creature when it comes to its relationship with sales. Increases in followers may not result directly or immediately result in an increase in revenue.

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As a co-founder of SEO training company SEOTraining.info, a small business, Randall Davidson knows that social media is vital to small businesses. His company offers SEO training services across the United States, including Los Angeles and New York SEO training workshops.

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