Creating a Social Media Strategy

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KateLeigh

Try to avoid just chasing followers.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock for the last few years, you'll have noticed that social media is now one of the most immediate and powerful ways you can connect with your customers. 

Once the preserve of internet "geeks" and students, pretty much everyone now is using social media. According to NextAdvisor and Pew Research, 43 percent of Americans over the age of 65 are regular users of social media, which means that even your grandmother may be at it. 

So, whoever your customers are – be they retirees, baby boomers, Gen X or Gen Y, there's a good chance that you can reach them through social media. And if you're not doing this, you can guarantee that your rivals will be. 

A strong social media presence is essential if you want to compete in today's marketplace. But simply creating a profile on social networks and posting the occasional message isn't enough to build your following. You need a strategy.  

In this article, you'll discover the value of a social media strategy and learn what steps you should take to build a successful social media presence.

What Is a Social Media Strategy, and Why Do You Need One?

To make sure that you get the most from social media, it's important to know what your goals are and how you're going to achieve them. To bring these together, you need to develop a well-thought-through strategy.

The right strategy will boost brand recognition, improve brand loyalty, reduce your marketing costs, and give your company a more competitive online edge. Just look at what a well-planned strategy can achieve:...