Isnā€™t Social Media Just Regular Marketing On An Online Platform

Isnā€™t Social Media Just a Regular Marketing Online Platform?

Marketing is an essential component for any company that wants to achieve long-term growth and success, regardless of their focus or the product or service they offer. You may have heard people say that social media marketing is just like traditional marketing but on an online platform. While there are similarities between the two, they also have some critical differences. Both traditional and social media marketing aim to create brand awareness and engage your audience. However, they have different practical applications and unique features that set them apart from each other.

Traditional Marketing:

Traditional marketing is the more established of the two because it has been around since before the late 90s when online access was not as prevalent. According to the Harvard Business Journal, ā€œtwo fundamentals, knowledge-based and experience-based marketing, will increasingly define the capabilities of a successful marketing organization.ā€Ā 

We have become accustomed to traditional marketing and can easily recognize its various forms. Who can forget the bright lights of Times Square and the endless array of billboard screens? Even the grocery store checkout line has become a place for famous faces to catch our attention and entice us to buy magazines with sales pitches on the pages. Watching TV with our families has become a tradition that includes memorable and mundane ads that are woven into the experience.

Points of Traditional Marketing to consider:

Traditional marketing is characterized by one-way communication, which involves delivering visual and audible sales pitches to the audience with minimal interaction. This type of marketing is generally impactful and often entertaining, providing a memorable experience. Although infrequent, it offers a tangible start-to-finish journey. Examples of traditional marketing include but are not limited to murals, billboards, bus/taxi/semi-truck wraps, posters, magazines, newspapers, flyers, window displays, signage, TV and radio broadcasting, direct mail, and telemarketing through phone and text messages.

Social Media Marketing

Did you know that as of July 2021, 295 million people were on social networks across the US? That is about three-quarters of our countryā€™s population! Even Grandma has an account on Facebook. Instagram, as well as Facebook and Twitter, are experiencing rapid growth and will continue to in the coming years.

Social media lives up to its name. Social media marketing operates through online platforms, which are becoming increasingly integral to our daily lives. With millions of people using social networks in the US alone, these platforms have become an important tool for connecting with others and creating communities based on shared interests and beliefs. Brands must now compete for attention alongside personal updates, which makes it crucial to understand concepts such as engagement, reach, and impressions. While it can be challenging, social media presents an unprecedented opportunity for brands to connect with audiences in new and exciting ways. In today’s world, brands need to compete not just with each other but also with personal updates shared by people on social media. From pictures of cute grandkids to engagement announcements, there’s a lot of personal news that is vying for people’s attention. This new reality has made it challenging for brands to stand out, but it also presents a fantastic opportunity for them to connect with audiences in a more personal and engaging way.

Points of Social Media Marketing to consider:

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not enough for brands to simply compete with one another. They need to actively engage with their customers through consistent communication and build brand loyalty by showcasing their values and credibility. Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest, provide brands with an easily integrative way to reach their targeted audiences. By strategically utilizing the unique tools and audience preferences of each platform, brands can create a more personal and engaging connection with their customers.

Staying ahead in the social media game is no easy feat – the landscape is constantly shifting with new trends, platforms, and marketing strategies emerging. However, the payoff for brands that get it right is immense – building dedicated, long-lasting relationships with their audiences like never before. The key to success lies in creating organic content that is relatable, approachable, and authentic. This takes a combination of innovation and consistent engagement with your audience and followers. The brands that excel at this are the ones that truly stand out in the crowded social media sphere.

 

Beyond being social…Why The AD Leaf Marketing Firm?

As we all know, digital marketing comprises various avenues beyond social media. While having a robust social media presence is undoubtedly beneficial, it’s not the only option available for businesses to promote their brand. When someone wants to learn more about your brand, they’ll most likely head to your website. However, social media is an excellent tool to increase your search engine rankings and generate leads. That being said, a comprehensive digital marketing strategy should go beyond social media alone. As our Director of Operations reminds us why social media should be part of your digital marketing arsenal, but it shouldn’t be the sole driving force. After all, who doesn’t want to maximize their brand’s potential, after all?

At the AD Leaf, we pride ourselves on being an innovative digital marketing agency. Our team is dedicated to developing meaningful campaigns that build long-term connections on behalf of the brands we represent. We understand the importance of social media in today’s digital landscape and strive to incorporate it into our comprehensive digital marketing strategies. If you’re interested in staying up-to-date on our latest projects and industry insights, feel free to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. We look forward to connecting with you!

3 Common Issues with your Social Media

3 Common Problems and Solutions for Your Social Media

Preach it! Social media is first and foremost; what? Social! Second, it is layered and complex.

Often small businesses, companies, and brands jump online with great enthusiasm. They gather their product photos and service videos and fill in those ‘about’ sections. Then it’s on to writing captions, tweets, and figuring out what hashtags are for.

Social Media presence? Check!

Ā Everyday struggles and misunderstandings we often hear:

  1. “But I have 6,000+ followers; how come no one is coming into my store?”

Problem:
Generally, the first question is ‘How did you attain said followers?’
Then the next question is, ‘when was the last time you saw them engaging with your content?’Ā 

We often ask, ‘who is your target audience?’ And you can’t just say ‘people who want to come to my store.’

Worst case scenario:

  • You bought those followers.
  • They have never engaged with your content.
  • You don’t understand what a target audience is.

If this is you – you don’t have to feel embarrassed. You are not alone. These are widespread issues.Ā 

Solution: Here is a metaphor for you. Imagine you drop by a networking party, and everyone there is on your follower list. The location is your business, whatever that may look like. People are all in the same room but gathered in groupings according to shared interests and for this scenario, let’s just say you only have 15 minutes to spend there.Ā 

Ā Ask yourself:

  • Are my friends and family there? If not, have you invited them? ā€“ Invite your friends and family to like and follow your social media platforms. They can often be your biggest advocates!
  • Are people there because they want to be? Essentially are they being paid to be interested in you? This is why fake followers or bought followers are not that great. At first glance, it looks like you are popular. But, we all know that popularity contests are not always what they seem. People will read the room, and it will soon become evident that no one is interested.
  • Do I want to make an announcement to the whole room OR have a few brief, poignant conversations with a few of those that have decided to show up? Think about what would grow deeper connections at this moment, keeping each individual connected. Sometimes that is sending a private direct message on Instagram to a new follower. “Thank you for following!” or share a post about the most recent charity your company is an advocate for supporting. Better yet, answer the most common question everyone seems to have when they call your location.
  • There are so many genuine ways to interact with followers in a personalized way that keep them as followers, keep them engaged, and eventually lead them to your store. Loyalty is built moment by moment and post by post, not all at once.

2. “I keep getting private messages in my Instagram offering to repost my content, or an account has offered to help me grow my follower count multiple times.”

Problem: The only comments you are getting are from these random accounts that seem to have thousands of followers, but they are all very obscure and odd.

Solution: Ignore and delete them. Most of those “dm us for (blank)” are scams. These scenarios should always go without saying ā€“ If someone is offering you something for free on the internet ā€“ ask ‘what’s the catch?’

3. Post Frequency:

“Our team posts every day! Sometimes 3 or 4 times a day. Why doesn’t anyone interact with our content?”

Our response: Please tell me you mean to say you are posting your stories on Facebook or Instagram. Otherwise, you are inundating your audience and crowding their news feeds. Many of them that continued to follow may have likely hidden your content to get a break.Ā 

Or, on the other side of the spectrum ā€“ “I post maybe once a month or two, at least to let people know we have sales. But we don’t have many followers.” Usually, this is followed up with “I just don’t have the time to post that frequently.”

Problem: We get it. The world of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and TikTok is becoming more layered and complex to navigate with every phone and App upgrade. No wonder there are college courses and specialized fields made for it.Ā 

Solution: For small businesses, at the very least on most platforms, you should be sharing content four times a week. Each piece of content should have the goal of brand awareness and engagement. Note: Not just promotions or calls to action.Ā 

Can you see the common thread?

In the Social Media world, you cannot talk at your audience or show up when it’s most convenient. Most of your audience is not ready to buy. The goal of your social platforms is that when they are ready to buy, your brand is at the top of their minds. There is a lot to know, much to learn (always), consistently so much to do.Ā 

If you see these 3 common social media issues and say “that’s me!” or you are doing your best to conquer these mountains and still not seeing results ā€“ you know whom to call! We got you covered! With our broad scope of social media professionals here at The AD Leaf, we’d be delighted to serve your company through your social media platforms. Don’t have them yet? We can advise you on the best ones to use and set them up for you. We can do your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, and more!Ā  Let’s collaborate to see your platforms, rise, come alive, and thrive! Give us a call at (321) 255-0900, or complete our contact form.Ā