Social Media: Decimal Means Business

Do you remember the days where socialising involved going down to the local pub and having a drink with your friends, or meeting your clients for dinner to discuss future projects? You know, actual face to face contact with another person?

I don’t remember them either.

Social Media is no longer a passing trend meant for hippies and teenagers. It continues to grow the world, with active user accounts now equating to roughly 29% of the world’s population. Social Media is here to stay, and it means business.

South Africans are spending an average of 3.2 hours a day on Social Media, unknowingly spreading news of different products and brands, good or bad. An estimated 68% of people are likely to purchase something after seeing a friend’s post about a product or service. With stats like these, it is no wonder the likes of Facebook and Twitter have launched new “buy” buttons, allowing businesses to sell their products and services to clients, without the client even having to leave the social platform.

And that’s just the start: 38% of businesses are estimated to grow (this year alone) by expanding or trying new forms of marketing. Do you need any more reason to relook your Social Media strategy?

However, if you’re going to harvest all the commercial benefits of Social Media, there are certain “niceties” you need to adhere to, lest you make your brand look like a noob:

1. First Impressions: Make sure your Social Media profiles are completed, with pictures and regular posts. Take 5 minutes to fill in the “All about You” information - your clients want to know these things
2. You are what You Tweet: The Internet knows everything, and it remembers everything. Don’t post or share anything that does not represent your brand 100%, but don’t let it stop you either. Not having an opinion on anything is worse than having a few people disagree with your opinion on something
3. Automation: Social Media is all about building relationships with your clients, but sometimes it is ok to cheat a little bit. For example, HootSuite allows the management of social networks, scheduled messages, engagement with audiences while measuring your ROI right from the dashboard, but it still allows you to post your own news, tweet, share and communicate with the audience on your own terms
4. Get Direction: Find a direction, and stick to it. People like consistency when it comes to what they are expecting. Pick a theme, and make sure you know everything about it
5. Grammar Nazi: Avoid poor spelling and grammar. Remember: the devil is in the details, and nothing says unprofessional like poor spelling. This piece of advice also includes posting in ALL CAPS. YOU DON’T NEED TO SHOUT, WE READ YOU!
6. #Hashtag: Don’t abuse hashtags. Hashtags actually have an important function in Social Media Marketing. This does not mean that you should turn every word into a hashtag
7. Stop Repeating Yourself: Sharing the same message over and over again is lazy, and sleezy. Also, Social Networks are smart enough to see the repetition, and won’t show your posts as much. There is enough news out there; use it
8. Explore Your Horizons, and Have Fun: Remember that Social Media is there to engage with your clients, not just to sell your services. Try new things, post different things and keep things conversational. Social Media is the new Face-to-face, afterall

If this sounds too complicated for you, then consider giving Decimal Agency a call. Now.

Not only do they manage your entire Social Media profile, they will put together an effective Social Media strategy that is suited to your brand. They are also experts at keeping to Social Media Etiquette, in order to maximise your ROI.

Decimal Agency uses HootSuite to keep content fresh and up-to-date, while making sure there is new content several times a week. They incorporate your current Marketing strategy, making your Social Media match your brand messages exactly. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram - you name it, they do it.

With a dedicated Social Media Team, and an on-board Copywriter, you can be sure your content will be correct, effective, on-point and impressive. Decimal stays on top of the latest trends, news and social gossip, so you’ll never lag behind.

If growth is what you are looking for, then Decimal Agency should make up a major part of your Social Media plan.