As we discussed in Which Social Media Platforms Are Best for Marketing My Business? Part 1, social media marketing is a confusing but important aspect of any successful marketing strategy. We’re going to cover how using email lists, Google+ and Pinterest can increase your reach.
Email Lists
Email lists are a vital part of social media marketing. The best part of an email list is that you control it. When you build a large following on social media platforms they have power over how many people see your posts. However, when you create an email list you can reach every single customer in a direct and personal way.
There are a lot of options of email marketing providers. You can choose your provider depending on the size of your company and how many subscribers you have. Another important aspect of email lists is having opt-in options on your website. You’ll want to make sure that your opt-in is highly visible and has a grabbing call to action so hat tells your customers what kind of value they’ll get from your emails.
Google+
Google+ may seem like just another social media channel, but it carries a lot of weight. As a Google product, Google+ can benefit your website’s search engine optimization while still connecting with customers. In order to get the most out of Google+ here are a few best practices:
- Interact with other companies and people. Google values genuine engagement, so don’t just engage for the points. Engage and build relationships. It will help you grow your business.
- Use Hashtags. Hashtags are viable across all social media channels, but they are especially helpful with Google+. Because hashtags are used in searches it can increase your odds of being found.
- Connect your website with your Google+ account. Google ranks websites based on connections to social media platforms, so make sure you’ve linked the two together.
- Design is an imperative element to all social media, not just Google+. Make sure your profile and cover photos are eye catching and designed using the correct dimensions. You should also be posting well-designed images that draw people into your page.
The biggest misconception about Pinterest is that it’s just a social media channel. When in fact, Pinterest is a search engine. It is quickly becoming one of the top search engines.
Every pin you produce should be keyword optimized, just like your website. The best place to use your keyword is in your image title and pin description. An easy way to make sure your keyword is in your pin description is to write out your pin description as the image’s alt description. Pinterest automatically pulls the alt description and makes it your pin description. You should also keyword optimize your board descriptions in order to increase your followers.
Hopefully, these tips will help you with your social media marketing for your small business. If you have any questions about social media marketing, please let us know and we are happy to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is building an email list important for social media marketing?
Building an email list is crucial because it allows you to directly and personally reach your audience without relying on social media algorithms. Unlike social media platforms, where visibility can be limited, an email list gives you control over your communication with customers, ensuring your messages reach their inboxes.
2. What are some best practices for using Google+ to enhance my marketing strategy?
To maximize your Google+ marketing efforts, follow these best practices:
- Interact genuinely with other companies and individuals to build relationships and grow your business.
- Use hashtags effectively to increase your visibility in searches.
- Connect your website with your Google+ account to improve your search engine rankings.
- Ensure your profile and cover photos are visually appealing and correctly sized.
- Post well-designed images to attract more attention to your page.
3. How can Pinterest be used as a search engine for marketing?
Pinterest functions as a search engine, making keyword optimization essential. To leverage Pinterest for marketing:
- Optimize your pins with relevant keywords in the image title and pin description.
- Write out your pin description as the image’s alt description for automatic inclusion.
- Optimize your board descriptions to increase visibility and followers.
4. What are the benefits of email marketing providers and opt-in options?
Email marketing providers offer various tools and features to manage your subscriber list based on your business size and needs. Opt-in options on your website, if prominently displayed with a compelling call to action, can significantly grow your email list by offering clear value to potential subscribers.
5. How does engaging on Google+ impact search engine optimization (SEO)?
Engaging on Google+ can positively impact SEO by:
- Increasing your website’s ranking through social media connections.
- Enhancing your online presence and authority through genuine interactions and relationship-building.
- Utilizing hashtags and optimized content to improve your visibility in searches.
