Welcome back!
Now that you’ve cleaned up your inbox and are on your second cup of coffee, it may be in your best interest to take some time to reflect on 2012. What went well? What didn’t? What were the wins and how can you make them even better this year?
Originally posted on the MediaVantage blog here are some great tips to help you get started on your planning:
Focus on relationships
Focusing on building relationships can never fall to the wayside. You may not follow the flock when it comes to social media, but whatever your strategy, partnerships are probably the cornerstone of your business.
For 2013, focus on at least 2 partnership-building opportunities. Host a customer-appreciation event (online or in person) and try reaching out to a person or business (maybe via LinkedIn) that might add positively to one or more of your campaigns.
It’s important to remember that even your most steadfast fans are not forgotten, but trying new things has a role to play in your plan.
Give the people what they want
This one begins and ends with listening. Customer complaints, while seemingly negative on the surface, are actually good opportunities to make adjustments. Any suggestions are opportunities for improvement (and earned revenue).
If your company doesn’t have a solid feedback system in place – meaning no way to gather customer feedback – then 2013 is the year to implement that infrastructure. Add a satisfaction survey if you can or solicit client feedback online. Depending on the resources available to you, social media might be a platform you can use to engage and improve.
No matter your budget, finding a way to listen to your customers just makes sense. But it’s not just enough to hear them, be prepared to make the necessary changes (that make sense for your business) to please the masses.
Gather expertise and share it
Actively engage your positive business relationships. This year, add a panel of experts to your arsenal. Build your thought leadership program.
You could arrange to have your thought leaders draft a new content series. Or maybe they’re more suited to live interaction. Maybe they can host an online event on a burning issue important to your social media audiences. You might even choose to host a live event with your thought leaders as the expert panel.
There are many options available; the beauty of partnerships and thought leadership is that you don’t have to do all the thinking on your own.
Engage with rich multimedia
With the advent of Pinterest and Instagram, it’s obvious that more and more audiences are attracted to companies who offer something visual.
This year, you’ll have to spend some time figuring out how to create or revamp your company’s visual identity. That’s the fun part.
The trick here is to stand out from the crowd. This visual marketing has been a popular strategy, so the key is differentiation. If your videos, images and infographics are flat, it might be time to call in the help of the professionals.
Try something new
Has your use of Facebook and Twitter become tired, second-hand marketing decoration? If you’re bored of the same ol’ social media platforms, why not try a new one this year?
Take the plunge: explore Pinterest or Intstagram. And maybe Lino or Twiddla could be of some use to your business? Take the time (before it’s too late) to do some research on an up-and-coming tool, or a well-known (but untapped to you) platform.
Your social media strategy can make the difference for your success in 2013.
Happy planning!
