Broaden Your Social Media: Keys for Success

Believe it or not, there is more to social media than Facebook and Twitter. Many other resources are available for businesses that are great resources to connect with potential customers. Lets take a look at some great options for your business...

Google+ is a great platform for businesses in order to reach potential customers due to its connection with a large name ("Google") that is connected with billions of users every day. But, there are several mistakes that should definitely be avoided. Thanks to the article "Google+ Local Marketing Mistakes", we have great direction of what to avoid when it comes to this specific social media network:

1. Neglecting to correct an inaccurately placed Google pin
2. Forgetting to add photos or not utilizing eye-catching photos
3. Failing to add Business Hours, or to correct inaccurate ones
4. Routing visitors to your general URL instead of to location or regional page that provides additional information about the specific location they were just viewing on Google
5. Selecting only one category for your business or selecting non-relevant categories for your listing
6. Claiming, but not optimizing, your listing
7. Creating multiple location pages with the same business description

By avoiding and solving these seven common mistakes, any business can ensure their successful presence on Google+, using and thriving on this great social media network.

LinkedIn is one of the most effective platforms for expanding your reach and improving your business results. According to Cindy King, author of "8 LinkedIn Marketing Tips From the Experts", we have a bit of a guide to follow to ensure a successful marketing plan for our business by using LinkedIn:

Learn Valuable Info From LinkedIn Publisher Stats

The new LinkedIn Publisher stats offer amazing insight into not only how many people are viewing each post, but the length of life of each post, reader demographics and the people who engage with your posts.

Invest in LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Sales Navigator assists with buyer identification and prospect research. Plus, it helps you engage with decision-makers more effectively, as it provides real insights into what your prospects care about. This is important because reach without engagement means nothing.

Network On The Go

If you only spend 10 minutes per day sharing great content with your connections on LinkedIn, it will keep your brand on their radar. Plus, it's simple to do on the go. Be strategic about connecting with new individuals or start conversations with recent contacts.

Optimize LinkedIn for SEO

• Add your 3-4 most important target SEO keywords right at the top of the LinkedIn company page description. Separate keywords by special characters
• Add a double space and use 150-160 characters to write a compelling and engaging sentence about your company that also includes your 2-4 most important target SEO keywords
• Add double space again and provide an extended version of information about your company
• Pay quite a bit of attention to the Specialties section

Market Smart

• Research, find, join and connect with related groups
• Like posts and comment with useful insights 
• Connect with new people via profile email or InMail, share related articles and insights, create content that you can place on your blog, video channel, podcast or in a LinkedIn post

Develop Authority With LinkedIn's Publishing Platform

Write articles about your own business and industry expertise or career experiences to differentiate yourself and stand out. Share your unique perspective and insights. 

Track the LinkedIn Profiles You Visit

Install the Google Chrome Internet browser add-on called Dux-Soup, and you have a great way to automate the process.

Manage Your Company Page Like a Boss

Open the new Company Page Notification Center dashboard and:

• Get an aggregated overview of how many likes, comments and shares you've received
• View every publicly shared mention of your company on LinkedIn
• See all of the most recent likes, comments and shares your company has received in a single view
• Comment and like as a company representative

LinkedIn has proved to be successful for businesses to connect with willing and able customers that are seeking relevant businesses for them. By following these steps by Ms. King, businesses will have a great start to building their company on LinkedIn.

In "YouTube Ads: What Marketers Need to Know About YouTube Advertising" by Michael Stelzner provides some tips for businesses when using YouTube:

• Make video ads and run them and - 
• Don't be afraid to spend money on video ads 

YouTube is a great way for businesses to advertise to customers that do spend time watching videos and are willing to view businesses that have eye-catching features.

"6 Tips to Grow Your Pinterest Marketing Results" by Mitt Ray provides great ideas for businesses to be successful on the well-known "Pinterest":

Optimize Your Page

• Profile - use company name
• Upload a relevant profile image
• Match your username with your business name
• Write convincing bio
• Add your town
• Add your website(s)
• Create boards

Design Content to Support Goals

Be Strategic With Your Pinning Schedule

Design Skinny Images

Write Detailed Descriptions

Test Various Pin Times

Pinterest is one of my favorite social media networks, as an individual. I know that I am especially drawn to businesses that participate in all six of these tips mentioned by Mr. Ray, especially if the business makes appealing images that have detailed descriptions that I can easily read and understand. Pinterest has a lot of potential for any business looking to connect with customers!