Social Media Marketing (SMM)

The first and most important thing for a business to consider before embarking on a social media marketing campaign is WHY... what is the strategy, the purpose and what is the expected outcome?

The second thing is the where - Facebook? Twitter? Youtube? Or other sites... How do these sites support your objectives.

The third thing is how - Social media operates on many levels - in the simplest form you can use it to listen to what is being said online about your brand, and about your competition, to enable you to get a real time barometer of consumer option.

You can use it to broadcast messages - promotions, events - not very different really to traditional marketing, except that there is the possibility of a viral aspect if you consider 'what's in it for the viewer?'

Finally, and probably the most beneficial yet the most difficult to measure, is to use social media for consumer engagement. Online communities, forums and networks are all environments where, as a business, you can actually engage with the consumer.

Fundamentally though, social media allows your business to becoming approachable and to have a personality. This will help the consumer better understand the values of your business, and, will really serve to enhance their loyalty to you.