If the Social Media Bubble Pops, Will it Hurt Your Online Marketing Plan?

For those that follow the stock market, and even those that don't, you're probably aware that most social media companies have not been performing very well since their IPO. In fact, the only company that has performed well in my opinion is LinkedIn. The likes of Facebook, Zynga, Groupon, Pandora, and others have seen their stock prices run up, then drop drastically. Are they the next MySpace? Are they going to be around in five years?

One has to wonder if it is even worth learning how to use social media as part of online marketing for your small business. I've asked myself that very question. But the fact of the matter is, we are using social media to spread content on the internet. Our small business online marketing plans revolve around content and have the goal of converting new users into customers. So should we care how these companies are performing as a stock?

Well, if you invested in these companies then heck yea you care! But otherwise, if you are using them to market your small business and take your content viral, then no, you shouldn't care. Social media companies stock value and the value they bring to your small business's online marketing plan are two different things. The stock value is a result of the supply of the stock vs. its demand. There was a lot of hype running up to these companies going public, and for good reason. Social media is awesome. It has changed the way people communicate. As long as people have a use for it, social media will exist. Okay, okay, enough financial talk. The fact of the matter is that people expected too much of these companies too fast, They are in their infancy. They will learn to monetize their users as time goes on, but for now, as small business owners, we only need to worry about how social media allows us to engage in online marketing.

As we have discusssed before, if you get one customer to "like" you on Facebook, +1 you on Google+, or follow you on Twitter, your business is being exposed to all of their friends. Their friends are then more likely to come to your business or at least check it out online. This is so much more beneficial then traditional marketing. With traditional marketing your brochure, radio ad, commercial, or mailing stops at the end user. But, with online marketing, there is no end user. Your content continues on and on as long as there is one more person out there that has a need or want for your content.

So put the social media companies as stocks on the back burner, focus on what the social media companies themselves can do for your small business's online marketing plan. Take the time to learn how to use social media, start slow with one or two accounts, then if you have the time and expertise add some more. If you need help, as always, feel free to Contact Innovative Ad Solutions LLC with your questions.

Online Marketing Content is King, So Write Like a Fool!

Remember when we were all in grammar school and the kid in the class that had the smartest sounding book report always got the A? The kid would use long sentences and fancy words that nobody understood. We were all taught that was the correct way to write. Well I got news for you, we are in the real world now and the last thing a customer wants to read is a boring report. So throw the conceptual thinking out the window and make your content as simple as possible. The easier it is to read, the more people will want to read it.

Just to be clear, online marketing plans revolve around what you have to offer the user. It is what makes up your website, email marketing, press releases, blogs, comments, and social media posts. This shouldn't be a bunch of advertisements that nobody wants to read because they do nothing say how great your business is blahh blahhh blahhhh! Your content should be information, information the customer wants. Now part of your content should be promoting your business, but work it in as part of the information.

Let's talk about some tips to help write content that people want to read.



Write eciting online marketing content that is targeted to your defined customers

Be Concise

The first tip is to be concise. Longer is not better in the online marketing world. When people want information they want it as quick as possible. Be brief. Don't use three sentences when one will do just fine.

Use Proper Formatting
Make sure your content is easy on the eyes. Format the paragraphs properly. Don't write in wordy chunks. You can even use headings so that people can identify topics. Also make sure you use proper spelling and grammar. You want people to respect your online marketing plan and what you have to say.

Don't Use Sophisticated Industry Terms

Unless your online marketing content is aimed at only those that are industry experts, do not use industry terms nobody will understand. Remember that people reading your content are often trying to learn from you. Make it easy on them.

Use Pictures or Infographics

Infographics are pictures with words. You can use them to get your point across and make it exciting at the same time. People love learning visually, especially when it is an alternative to reading long posts. Also throw in a picture to online marketing as often as you can.

Please the Masses
Before you start writing online marketing content, put yourself in the shoes of the customer. What are they interested in? What information do they need? Don't just write about what you are interested in. If you aren't sure what the customer wants, ask them. Ask customers to fill out a short questionnaire or rank the topics they are most interested in.

Love What You Preach

People can tell if the writer is into a subject. Show that you are interested in what you do. I love online marketing and I try to always make sure my online marketing content shows that. If your writing shows you are excited, it will get the reader excited. They will be more likely to come back.

Writing content for your online marketing plan can be tricky. You need to keep it short and to the point, but with enough information to satisfy the customers need. You want to post often enough to always have fresh content, but not so often that the user can't keep up with it. Writing good content can take awhile to master, but next time you write be conscious of these tips. Remember, you don't have to be so serious! Have a little fun while you work.

If you need some help or have questions about online marketing Contact Innovative Ad Solutions LLC and we will be happy to help!