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In Part 1 of this series, we looked at the importance of social media in a coherent marketing strategy, both on and offline. In the next parts, we are going to focus on how to use Twitter as one of your social media marketing tools to do so.
Too much time is spent developing marketing strategies which then fall into the grip of unintended consequences. Do not waste time nor money endeavouring to guestimate what the results of a campaign will be.
Social media is all about human interaction, and there can be nothing more unpredictable than people.
Don’t strategise, Just Do It!
What is more important is to develop rules of engagement, and then test, test and test again.
Step 1 – The Basics: Learn to use Twitter.
In brief, Twitter is an opportunity to communicate in 140 characters. With people and brands around the world. There are rules of engagement, but understanding the netiquette of Twitter is not rocket science – it is about understanding people.
Set up a Twitter account, where possible using a very short but recognisable version of your brand or company name. e.g. you can follow us on @clickthroughsem
Find out who within your company or tribe can already use Twitter. Ask them to share their experience and knowledge with everyone else within the company who will be helping to execute this strategy. A simple 30 minute training session in-house will reduce the need for individuals to ‘work it out for themselves’.
Learn how to use hashtags and which hashtags will help you to reach your core audience. (Hashtags make it easy to search, follow specific conversations, tune into ‘channels’ identified by certain hashtags and reach target audiences).
Click on the hashtag image for some more great links to hashtag advice…..
Part 3 tomorrow…..
I’ve just been reading through the comments submitted to this blog, which are currently under moderation rather than open.I don’t think I am particularly heavy handed with the delete button, but the majority of the comments submitted break all netiquette whilst achieving nothing for your Web PR….
Commenting on blogs is an excellent way to attract traffic to your site, build relationships and get involved in constructive dialogue. Unless you are spamming. In which case, it is a waste of time.
Here are 10 things NOT to do when using comments as a blog marketing tool.
1. Don’t just write “Nice blog”. That is not a positive contribution to any discussion!
2. Don’t write about something totally irrelevant. eg much as I may care that Aaron has pimples all over his body (which I don’t), it is severely off-topic. And spam.
3. Don’t include a blatant link to your website in the comment unless it will lead readers of that blog to VALUABLE information about the subject of the post.
4. Don’t link to affiliate sites.Many bloggers are trying to earn money and stay alive too.
5. Don’t forget that comments are for ..um…COMMENTING on the post. Not to promote your site, sell drugs, or any other similar activity.
6. Don’t fill the name field with every keyword you can think of pertaining to your own product/service. Think of a name. Yes, use your company name or twitter handle if you wish, but keep it sensible.
7. Don’t cut and paste and repeat comments on multiple blogs. Many blogs are interlinked because of subject area and any users who visit multiple sites and read the exact same comment from you over and over again will give you negative PR rather than positive.
8. “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than speak out and remove all doubt.” Abraham Lincoln
9. Don’t be offensive, disrespectful or abusive. Be polite. You are writing on someone else’s blog.
10. Don’t forget where you have posted a comment. Duplicate postings on a comment thread are unnecessary.
It should be simple, but judging by all the comments I have deleted today, for some it is more taxing than it should be.
The correct netiquette on Twitter is to place the hashtag at the end of the tweet. Just so you know!
