Contrary to what most people think about social media, it is not useless. It can actually be very useful especially for businesses and entrepreneurs who are still getting their footing in the industry. It can get the word out to people and increase traffic to your site. It can be a very effective tool in getting to know your audience and customers.
However, a lot of businesses are struggling with it. There is still a lot of misunderstanding between tools and concept and what each can offer. A lot of people are still asking why social media tools cannot be used like emails, advertising and direct mail. Who should own social media? Who should control it?
The task of a marketer
One of the most common questions today in social media is what a marketer has to do in order to get to know customers more. A good way to begin is by starting a conversation. Starting a conversation with your customers not only make them feel that their opinions matter and that they are important, it also helps you gain valuable insight into their buying practices. There are five things which are turning the business world upside down and they are:
- Niche marketing
- Loss of control
- Skepticism of customers
- Fragmented media
- Control of customers
If you take the time to understand your customers, they will thank you profusely and you will be greatly rewarded.
What to do now that things have changed?
If you want to stay relevant in the industry, you have to keep up with the changing times and adapt as necessary. It is time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. To be successful, you need an excellent social media strategy. Digital handshake means more than just making press releases on social media platforms. How much do you expect to get from that? There are many things you can use to further your cause and they are:
- Social networks
- Video
- Business blogging
- Tagging, bookmarking
- Podcasting
A good plan
Strategies would mean nothing without a plan of action which will require you to listen, understand and engage. When you meet customers personally the first thing you tend to do is introduce yourself to them and shake their hand. Now you can also do that digitally. This is what is called engaging customers through a digital handshake.
This means you have to engage your customers not in fruitless talk but in conversation which will benefit both parties. You will be able to know what they want and need in a product or service while they get will be able to make things a lot easier with the right help.
The result of the digital handshake can be easily measured, therefore you will see which areas you need to improve on and what you need to add to make your efforts a success. Without the customers, your company is not worth that much so do make an effort to get to know them.