Posts Tagged ‘Target’

Facebook. The wonder of social media wonders.

The company bent on taking Google down a peg or two.

The place you play Farmville, Mafia Wars, or some such game, and share random comments with friends.

Or, your next social media marketing platform!

Seriously. Many folks under-appreciate what Facebook can do for a marketing plan. So often we hear “I built a company Facebook page…Now what?” That’s because most folks are so close to the things they HAVE to get done, they forget to plan for the things they WANT to get done. So here are some simple strategies to integrate your Facebook marketing efforts….

8 Savvy Steps to Integrating Your Facebook Marketing

1. Gather all the materials you will need for developing your Facebook page. Get your profile image and any custom tab graphics completed in advance. (Not sure where to go to do that? The Collective Savvy can help you out! (info@thecollectivesavvy.com)

2. Take the Time to Set Up your Page - We recommend setting the bulk of your page up at once. It is simply easier to finish that way because you can go through the steps methodically. Make sure to chose the proper page type (i.e. read the options Facebook gives you!) and think through the sub-options – are you a restaurant, a brick and mortar store, a service, etc.?

3. Make sure you take advantage of the Facebook page template - Incorporate your other online sites in a way that is easily visible to folks visiting your pages. Post photos related to your brand to liven things up. Pictures of staff, materials, etc., can really personalize the brand to your customers.  Maximize the template the best way you know how!

4. Set up your customized tabs - Static FBML is a great thing and allows you to do some customization to your tabs – videos, links, etc.  Figure out what you want to expose folks to that may be complimentary to your other marketing efforts and reinforce a call to action.

5. Connect to your other social media sites - There are tons of apps out there that allow you to link to other sites. Maximize, maximize, maximize! This can’t be stressed enough because it will save you so much time and energy while reaching a variety of folks in the manner in which they prefer to receive it. Link to Twitter, YouTube, etc.

6. Post your site links on your traditional marketing materials – Posters, brochures, signage, advertising, etc., are all great places to note that you have social media accounts that customers can access. Then on your social media sites be sure to refer to your print materials. Remember, don’t post the same thing everywhere, but post things that compliment one another!

7. Use Facebook advertising – Facebook offers affordable and highly targeted advertising. Pick a great graphic that goes with your look, come up with a brief and effective message, determine where you want folks to go if they click on your ad, set your daily limit, and there you go!

8. Plan  your posts - You can be like me and wing it. Or you can be like one of our clients and pre-plan your posts to coincide with in-store events, advertising, etc.  Really the choice is yours. But make sure you think it through!

Want to learn more about Facebook in general for your marketing efforts? Check out:

• www.facebook.com/facebook
• www.facebook.com/advertising
• www.facebook.com/facebookpages

Got questions about Facebook or other social media activities?

Ask The Savvy Girls your marketing or social media questions! Those savvy ladies can be found at www.facebook.com/thesavvygirls or www.twitter.com/thesavvygirls.

What is one crucial, critical and often forgotten element of marketing planning? Building a targeted list! Targeted lists allow for stronger marketing implementation and can save an immense amount of resources. Yet it’s the thing that many marketers forget to plan for when preparing their marketing activities.

Here are just a few highlights of proper list planning:

1. Use me, use me…just don’t abuse me!

How will your list be used? Email campaigns? Direct mail? Cold calls?  Determining how you will use your list affects what data you need to collect for your list.  That can save you a lot in regards to time and money!

2. If you build it, more will come!

Start collecting data as soon as possible and keep it up! If time constraints are an issue remember that a small, targeted list is preferable to a huge, random list.  Offer ways for people to opt-in to your list so that the list grows with potential clients wanting to receive your messages!

3. Remember the “collective!”

Pulling together a new list? Make sure you consider adding in past business contacts. These people have already been your customers and are more likely to buy from you in the future. Just make sure what you are marketing is appropriate for them! Otherwise, save that past client list for another time.

4. Tell All!

Meet someone who may be interested in your services? Invite them to join your list. Put opt-in options on your website. Mention it on your email signature. Talk about it through your social media. Avoid high pressure tactics, but make sure people know you are happy to share your information and invite them to join your list!

5. List P’s & Q’s

Lists are business goldmines and require care and management. People may opt-in, opt-out, update, provide wrong info, and more. Make sure you schedule time to spend managing your list properly or risk upsetting potential customers!

And of course, what do we always say? Integrate, integrate, integrate! Don’t forget to think about all elements of your services and how best to integrate your lists for maximum exposure and oomph!