What is Social Media Marketing?
Social media marketing is a new term which has been coined to describe the use of social networks and other online platforms to market products and services.
It is important to note that this is not the same as traditional advertising such as TV, print, radio etc.
When people think about social media marketing they tend to think about Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. However, it is important to remember that there are other platforms out there that can be used to effectively promote your business or brand.
So what platforms should you consider using for your business?
Facebook is the most popular social media platform with over 800 million active users. This is a great platform to use to connect with potential customers, build relationships and increase awareness of your brand.
If you have a business page on Facebook, then it is free to set up. You will need to create an attractive profile picture, cover photo, short description, list your interests, location and contact details. Once this is complete you will then need to start adding content to your page.
To add content to your page you need to make sure you post regular updates to keep people interested in your page. You can also post videos, pictures, links and other content to get people to click on your link.
Twitter is another very popular social media platform that has over 200 million active users. Twitter is a micro blogging platform where you can send short messages (140 characters) to your followers. It is also a good place to engage with other users who may have similar interests to yours.
To get started on Twitter you will need to create a unique username and follow other users. To get started you can sign up for a free account with Twitter.
Once you have signed up for an account you will need to create a profile with a bio, avatar and profile picture. You can also add additional information about yourself.
You will then need to start posting tweets by writing a message and including a link to your website or blog.
LinkedIn is a professional networking site that is often used to network with other professionals.
To get started with LinkedIn you will need to create a professional profile with a professional looking profile picture. You can also include your work experience and education.
Once your profile is complete you can start connecting with other professionals. When you connect with someone you can share relevant content such as articles, blogs and videos.
TikTok
TikTok is a new platform that has become very popular in the last few years. It is a video sharing platform that is mainly used by young people.
To get started you will need to download the app from the App store. Once you have installed the app you will need to set up an account. Once your account is set up you will need to upload a video.
WhatsApp is a messaging service that is mainly used by young adults.
To get started all you need to do is install the app on your mobile device. Once the app is installed you will need to set up a profile with a name, picture and description. You can also add contact information such as your phone number and email address.
Once you have created your profile you will need to start sending messages to other users. The messages can be sent for free but you will need to pay a small fee if you want to send messages longer than 160 characters.
YouTube
YouTube is a video sharing platform that has over 1 billion monthly users.
To get started setting up your account you will need to register with Google. Once you have registered you will need to create a personal profile. You will need to include your name, location, age, gender, occupation and any other relevant information.
Once you have completed your profile you can start uploading videos to YouTube.
Snapchat
Snapchat is a messaging service that allows you to send images and videos to your friends.
To get started signing up for Snapchat you will need to download the application from the App Store. Once the application is downloaded you will need to create an account.
Once you have registered you will need a username and password. You will also need to select a username for each person you want to send messages to.
Once you have set up your account you will need a camera and a phone number. You can then start sending images and videos to your friends.
