Here at RankingCo we often get bombarded with questions from small businesses about digital marketing, we do our best to answer every one of these questions. However, we thought it might be useful to put together a blog post answering some of the most frequently asked questions we get regarding digital marketing, specifically for Social Media. 

Without further ado, here are some of our frequently asked questions about social media marketing, answered! 

1. Can social media marketing help my business?

Yes, absolutely! It’s been proven time and time again. In fact, if you aren’t utilising social media marketing there’s a high chance you’re harming your business. Nowadays, having an online presence is expected from any reputable business. 

2. What are the benefits of social media marketing?

Whether you’re a business taking advantage of having an online presence or not, social media has forever changed the way consumers interact with businesses. Being easily accessible to your customers and potential clients via social media is vital for developing a relationship with them and helping them through the sales funnel. 

3. How should I measure my social media marketing success? 

Like other marketing activities, measuring your social media success uses the same metrics: traffic, leads, and customers. Counting the number of followers you have only shows your reach. To see your marketing success, you need to be measuring how many people have visited your site, which of them became qualified leads and how many became customers.  

4. How much does social media marketing cost? What’s the ROI?

Social media marketing is rarely free. Whether you choose to spend your own time on it or outsource to a marketing agency, there’s always going to be a cost. The key is getting your maximum ROI out of the time or money you are putting into it. Keep in mind though, that ROI doesn’t have to mean revenue. It can also mean meeting objectives such as gaining new leads or increased email subscribers.

5. What social media platform should my business use?

Different businesses have different audiences, there is no set answer to which social platform you should be using. One demographic will spend most of their time on Facebook while another only engages in LinkedIn. Find out where your customers are, and follow them there. 

6. Does my business need a blog for social media marketing?

Definitely! Having a blog is non-negotiable. Aside from increasing your credibility in your industry and providing fresh, keyword-rich content for search engines, it is also a vital part of social media marketing. One of the best forms of content to post is one that’s linked to a blog post. A blog is a great way to drive traffic to your website. 

7. Is social media better for B2C or B2B businesses?

It’s needed for both but in different ways. B2C businesses can focus on more fun and light-hearted content while a B2B business should be using social media to share valuable content within their industry. Social media is a vital tool for both businesses and if they’re looking to connect with customers. 

8. How do I use Facebook for marketing?

Facebook is one of the biggest social media platforms used by billions of people worldwide. Use Facebook as a way to connect with and interact with your target audience. Don’t be afraid to share your content as well, this encourages others to do the same. 

9. How do I use Twitter for marketing?

With over 313 million users, Twitter is ideal for sharing content and connecting with influencers within your industry. One word of advice - keep in mind the country that you are trying to target, Twitter has a much larger user base in the US than in Australia.

10. How do I use LinkedIn for marketing?

LinkedIn is the perfect platform to show off your credentials to the world. There are many ways you can up your LinkedIn marketing (insert link here). We suggest interacting with LinkedIn Groups, you can answer questions and contribute to discussions to demonstrate your industry expertise as well as your willingness to help others. 

11. What about Youtube for marketing?

Videos are becoming more popular in the world of social media marketing. Youtube gets over 4 billion views per day! It’s a great way to promote your brand’s image and give your audience a sneak peek of your business. 

12. Is outreach important for social media marketing?

Guest blogging is a great and effective form of outreach, but social media can help reach too. Connect with other influences in your industry via social media and build relationships with them through conversations and they can help you promote your content. 

13. How can I take control of my brand online?

Unfortunately, social media has made it tricky to take “control” of your brand. The best advice we can give is that you join in those conversations, and influence them. Whether it is a negative google review or an instagram comment, you can influence your audience’s perception of your brand by participating in and steering them in the right direction. 

14. Should all the departments of my business have their own social initiative?

Your company's social media activities don’t have to all come to the same place, but they do need coordination. Keep in mind consistency is key. 

15. What type of social media converts best?

As previously mentioned in question 5, this all depends on your audience. The best way to find out what type of content concerts most effectively is for you to test, tweak, and test again. 

16. How much time should social media take each week?

Timing is everything in social media marketing. That’s the best thing about it! It gives you the power to reach your specific audience in real-time. Though there’s an abundance of tools available for you to schedule and automate posts to save time, we recommend you keep track of your activity throughout the day. That way you can provide timely responses to your audience. If you’re creating, posting and strategising content, social media done right can be a full-time gig.

17. How long does it take before I see results from social media marketing?

Social media is an ever-evolving platform. Looking for results often depends on variables like time and effort you’re putting into social media management, your budget, audience and your strategy, and whether you’re using paid ads or not. Social media is a marathon, not a race. 

18. What are common social media mistakes?

One of the biggest mistakes is inconsistency. Only posting sporadically does not do you any favours. Don’t just use social media as a place to announce your own content, consider engaging in discussion or adding comments to posts that make your audience want to click or like. 

19. What are some general tips for social media success? 

As stated above, you should be posting consistently! Don’t be afraid to let your passion and personality shine through. Encourage audience engagement and offer valuable content freely without sounding like a salesperson. And of course, be creative! 

If you have any more questions regarding social media marketing, feel free to give us a call on 1300 247 045 or email us at contact@rankingco.com. Looking to kickstart your social media marketing campaign? We can help you with that too! Check out some of the services we offer and see how we can help you out rank your competition.