LinkedIn, FaceBook, YOUTube, Twitter & Pinterest are the top FREE online marketing tools for businesses. We have all heard about how valuable, even necessary, it is to engage on social media however, that is easier said than done. Each of the platforms mentioned are more complex than they initially appear and what’s worse they evolve daily.
Diving in without understanding the individual platform can be overwhelming. Also, it takes knowledge and a bit of marketing savvy to see results. But never fear, there is plenty of information out there to help small business owners be successful.
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional social network with 238 million users with 2 new members added every second. The platform allows colleagues and business associates to connect with each other and businesses can connect with current and potential employees. At the same time community development, thought leadership and content sharing is promoted. The platform offers tremendous referral potential, particularly for B2B leads.
How are people using it?
- Individual profiles are essentially online resumes
- People can connect with each other and make recommendations
- It is a great place to search for a job or an employee
- It is a valuable publishing platform where professionals can establish themselves as an authority in their field.
Personal Page: Leslie DiNanno
Company Page: Coca Cola
Facebook started in 2004 with the primary purpose of connecting college students. Twelve years later it has more than 1.65 billion users. It is the most widely used of the social media sites and has essentially shaped the way we interact online. Facebook connects friends and families as well as brands and consumers. For businesses, it is great for community building with current, past and potential clients, Search Engine Optimization, insight into a market niche (through analytics), communication and viral opportunities.
How are people using it?
- Groups – whether they are private or public, professional, community or special interest related.
- Events – users can organize around a point in time. Again, security can be customized and the event can be exported to other calendars which is a valuable feature.
- Business Pages – these fan pages have evolved over the years and now offer quite a bit of functionality including review capability, shopping carts, calendar syncing and more.
- Messenger – combines email, instant messenger and Facebook messages.
- Content, post timing and moderation are all factors that must be considered for business and personal use.
Boxford Parents FB Page: Boxford Parents
Twitter:
Did you know that the Twitter bird logo known as Larry was fashioned after Larry Bird from the Boston Celtics? Twitter was established in 2006 and allows users 140-characters to share appetizer bits of information. The interface is simple and conducive to sharing breaking news in any arena. Users choose areas of interest and there are 400 million tweets sent daily. Using Twitter you can find people interested in your marketing niche, stay abreast of the latest news and trends in your field, to market your product, drive traffic to your website, to stay in touch with your clients, build a reputation as an authority in your field & network with others.
How are people using it?
- Everyone is using Twitter – from Brands to Government officials, to athletes, to Hollywood stars stirring up drama.
Remember: Be aware of your brand and your voice. Be interesting and add value
Donald Trump Twitter Page: The Real Donald Trump
YouTube
has emerged as the second largest search engine after Google – 6 billion hours of video are watched monthly on YouTube. This means that people are not only going to find the answers to their questions but they will be able to see a demonstration which is preferred. You Tube has launched many to internet fame.
How are people using it?
- Consumers watch content and share it with others.
- Much of the content is helpful and much is in a how-to format.
- There is a lot of incentive participation – that is, brands asking users to create video’s and share it on behalf of the brand using hashtags for promotional purposes.
SixPackShortCuts: https://www.youtube.com/user/sixpackshortcuts
GoPro: https://www.youtube.com/user/GoProCamera
FoodHeaven: https://www.youtube.com/user/FoodHeavenShow
Demographics are a large part of the success of Pinterest whose client base is largely female. Many ‘pin’ items found on the web including clothing, home décor and recipes. It is a terrific platform for brands with emotionally charged products that can rely on beautiful images for “pinning”.
How are people using it?
- Brands use Pinterest to engage their audience with picture sharing … it is simply visual.
WholeFoods: Whole Foods on Pinterest