How to Know if Social Media is the Best Marketing Avenue

Social media, statistically, is one of the best marketing avenues for businesses and organizations alike. Sometimes, however, it's not the best. How do you know whether it is for your business or organization?

Realize first that marketing involves targeting content or products toward people. Not everyone is on social media, and some are oblivious to being on social media very long each day. Most people still have other lives to attend to than just social media. Many work full time, many don't pay much attention to the online world. So, therefore, social media should not be your only aim, and if you don't find success in that avenue, don't fuss. You're not the only one in trouble.

It's difficult for newer companies to make a name for themselves. Just because you don't see much results right now, doesn't mean that 5-10 years down the road you might have a ton of followers. People work hard at what they do, and therefore will get results. People who expect handouts and hope that things will slide smoothly all the time will be amazed at very little progress.

How does one approach social media? A plan! A plan is the best way to approach social media, a plan of attack for sure. The social media should fit in strategically for what you want to accomplish. Have a mission for what you're going to want to do.

Customers live their lives a certain way and adapt to certain changes in society. Sometimes it pays to innovate, and sometimes it's best to imitate. Just depends on what strategy you go with, and how aggressive you want to get with carrying out your plan.

What are some questions to ask yourself for your plan?

• Is you business, in essence, 'social'?
• Does social media come natural for you or your company? Or, does it seem more forced?
• Are your customers 'social'? Do you think they're social? Why or why not?
• Do you think they'd like to interact publicly with your company?

You might not see it now, but if you're not very social, then it's difficult to connect with people on a social network. This is why many companies hire social media directors or managers, because they want to carry out a social plan but don't know how.

Many companies that carry products that people want to promote in the public eye, should belong on social media just fine. But, if the products are more personal (for example, contraceptives), then social media might be a second thought.

Overall, it requires a confident approach and a quality plan. Researching other competitor's social media tactics may help improve your strategy. Social media is not all that automatic. It requires a dynamic, strategic approach in order to work best.

Questions or comments? Post below!