Is Social Media Worth the Investment?
Methods to Help You Measure the ROI from Your Social Marketing Efforts
Social marketing is such a hot topic for retailers and entrepreneurs these days. It is talked about due to its efficient and effective way in attracting more people to come to the store and complete a transaction. This is why business owners strive to learn and keep up with this new way of getting new customers to buy their products and services.
The first step you should take if you want to invest in social media marketing is to educate yourself about the process or ask a professional about how it works. Wading in without studying the particulars of social media may end up wasting your capital for marketing.
What you should keep in mind is social media marketing takes time before you can adequately track the progress you have made. It may take at least six to nine months before you can see any notable development. Do not let this long span of time scare you from trying social media for your business. Your business cannot become popular overnight on the Internet unless you have past brand recognition and recall to fall back on.
Here is a list you can check before calculating the return on social media investment. Be sure to follow them in the order prescribed for maximum results:
- Study social media sites that you can use to promote your business. Each site is different, with its own set of specialties.
- Set up your own website. Use visually appealing colors to make it attractive. Make sure the content can engage the attention and interest of customers.
- Create an account in any social media site that you think would be most effective in helping you meet your goals.
- Make a Google Analytics account before launching your website and social networking page on the Internet. This will help you keep track of site visitors.
Once your website and social page become live on the Internet, put up a large sign in the high-traffic areas of your store saying, “Like (Your Business Name) on Facebook” or “Follow Us on Twitter.” Happy customers savvy on social media can go online later to access your page. It would also help if you personally take time to chat up loyal customers and ask them to recommend your page to other people.