Social media can be a powerful marketing tool. But simply creating a page for your organization and expecting the ‘likes’ to flow in is a mistake. Answer these three questions to decide if Facebook is right for you …

Question 1: Is my audience there?
Social media encompasses many channels, from LinkedIn to Twitter to Pinterest and Google+. But with more than a billion users worldwide, the gorilla is Facebook. Yet despite the big numbers and all of the buzz, Facebook (or any social channel) may not be right for you.

It depends on who you want to reach. Successful marketing happens when your message gets in front of the right audience, where they choose to respond— at the point of choice. Today, more than 66% of adults are connected to one or more social media platforms; is your target audience among them?

Each generation has different attitudes, expectations and communication styles. And each interacts with social media in different ways. Younger audiences spend more time on Facebook. Women are more active on social media than men.

Question 2: Do I have something to say?
If your audience is on Facebook, why would they follow you? An effective page inspires response, sharing and social interaction. What’s useful? Sharable? A great offer? Thought-provoking? Give your followers a reason to connect and stay connected.

Remember—when your page is “liked,” you’re now competing with friends and family for space on their feed. Keep it valuable, keep it interesting … or get deleted.

Question 3: Can I commit to social media?
It’s better to not be on Facebook at all than to have a dead page. Post regularly (at least five times per week), and respond quickly to posts and comments. Social media helps your audiences interact with your brand like never before. No other medium offers that level of instant communication. Build those relationships by helping, sharing, responding.

Check out these blog articles for more insight on social media
    > Making your social media work for you is like talking to your dog
    > Is your audience on Facebook?
    > B2B Question: Is Social Media for Me?
    > 3 tips to go viral on social media
    > Download our free Social Media Worksheet

As part of an overall strategy
A strong social media presence can boost visibility. But it’s just a part of a larger inbound marketing strategy. Download our overview to learn how to get found online and generate more leads.

There isn’t one marketing formula to fit all organizations. To find out what works for you, give us a call at 866-363-4433, or drop us an email.