And it's a major issue, because Social Media isn’t actually ‘Free’. The cost comes from the regular time needed to establish an appropriate strategy and then to implement it via this relatively new channel.
Let me paint a picture of what can happen. It all starts in a blaze of youthful passion and enthusiasm – the team will sort out the strategy later. The ‘Blogs’ up and running, Facebook and Twitter accounts are opened and posts made daily, the YouTube viral is uploaded and LinkedIn profiles are 100% and relevant groups joined and conversations started.
Then a few weeks later the shine starts to fade and interest wanes.
Either relevant followers haven’t appeared or website traffic has stayed the same and enquiries are static despite hours of effort. And then it dawns that all this time has been spent chasing nothing. A big hole has been dug. And what’s worse, the organisation is trapped on the Social Media treadmill as stopping now could have a potentially damaging impact on existing customers and prospects amongst the followers and fans. A vicious circle has been created.
But it doesn’t have to be this way; there is a better way to manage Social Media. A Social Media Funnel is part of a strategy that involves and uses all the company’s staff, expertise and resources in a consistent and clear manner to create the required leverage.
Plan your strategy first, then you can identify and measure metrics that confirm you are achieving your goals. When you can do this, you will know that you are creating appropriate consumer interaction for building your business and have a great Social Media Funnel in place.
Join me on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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For further details contact Jonathan@fcgconsultancy.co.uk
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