Giving your institution, whether it is a business or non-profit, a place on Facebook/Twitter allows clients to interact with your brand and provides free referral based advertising.
What is Social Media?
Merriam-Webster defines social media simply as,”forms of electronic communication (as Web sites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information ideas, personal messages, and other content.”
Why Social Media?
-Social media has robust word-of-mouth potential. For example, if one person has 1,000 friends on Facebook and recommends your organization, that was free advertising to 1,000 people.
-Ability to share events and promotions. Whether your church is holding a food drive or your business is offering a special sale, Twitter instantly gets the information across to your closest fans for them to spread the word.
-Cost. Facebook/Twitter/Blogs do not charge to create a page or maintain it.
-Are you looking for employees? Simply post it on your Facebook or Linkedin page.
– Customers are tired of being “talked at” and would rather have organizations pay attention and reply to their questions and suggestions.
So now that you know the importance of social media, what should your strategy be in creating a social media page?
1. Offer a sneak peek into your organization(s)
2. Keep clients in the loop by giving updates on current and future work
3. Present pictures into searchable albums for easy viewing
4. Demonstrate the values and mission statement
5. Interact with potential clients and answer questions
6. Access popularity
7. Find potential customers
8. Reach previously unreached markets