A guest blog post from Quéz Media Marketing
Social Media
Marketing for lead generation is fresher, more applicable, but also more
challenging than ever as we move further into 2012. The single-faceted
networking opportunities of the last decade have expanded, and continue to
expand, into broader, more diverse pathways. Learning the subtleties,
advantages, and disadvantages to each of these platforms can help you master
the current trends, keep abreast of new ones, and develop a stronger and more
automated stream of leads for your business.
- Use the right medium
Social networks are spreading both
in number and in purpose exponentially. You won’t be able to categorize your
lead generation into a single, generic “social media marketing” oriented plan
of attack. You’ll need to become familiar with each platform’s advantages, and
really understand your target demographics to choose the strategy that will win
you the greatest leads.
- Don’t get greedy
Nobody accesses social media to
read a boring sales pitch. Trying to use tricks, gimmicks, or fluff will only
make you look opportunistic and undesirable. It’s fine to sell to people, but
you need genuine content to back up your surface designs—you have to be
valuable to people. This could mean offering giveaways, discounts, services, or
simply getting creative and showing off
your personality.
- Be prepared to invest
There’s no getting around it:
harnessing social media for lead generation is going to take time and money.
Despite the fast and frequent changes that continue to shape the world of
social platforms, using social media marketing for lead generation is a long
term investment. If you just try and throw something together without firm
goals or a solid understanding, it may prove fruitless. You’ll have to use your
resources to offer incentives and take the time to structure something
effectively. If you don’t have a lot of experience, or have those resources to
put up, it may be worth hiring an outside expert to be your
social media champion.
