Post on 27-Aug-2014
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50 Expert Tips for Getting Started on Social Media
When you’re getting started on social media, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed…
So, we reached out to a panel of experts to get
some advice…
…and we asked them to
KEEP IT SIMPLE.
We talked to: business owners
marketers social media experts
bloggers entrepreneurs
authors journalists and more!
So, we reached out to a panel of experts to get some advice, but asked them to keep it simple.
The Question: “If you were to give a one-sentence tip to a small business owner just starting out with social media, what would you say?”
So, we reached out to a panel of experts to get some advice, but asked them to keep it simple.
Most stuck to one sentence. (Some cheated a little.)
But all provided helpful tips that any business can use when getting started on social media…
So, we reached out to a panel of experts to get some advice, but asked them to keep it simple.
Here are our favorite one-sentence tips for getting started on social media!
Every business has a story. What’s yours? Share it in a way
that attracts clients and encourages prospects to take
action.
Rebekah Radice Social Media Strategist
@rebekahradice
Go above and beyond on your original content and be consistent
with it. When it works, it's the gift that keeps on giving.
Melonie Dodaro,
Founder, Top Dog Social Media @MelonieDodaro
In social media, content leads to conversations, conversations build
relationships, and relationships result in ROI.
Robert Caruso
Founder & CEO, Bundle Post @fondalo
Social media is virtual networking. Take the time to build relationships just
like you would face to face.
Laura Cummins Owner, NineDotz Consulting
@NineDotz
Start small. Work to increase engagement with those who have connected with you and figure out
what types of content will get them to like, comment, and share.
Gail Goodman
CEO, Constant Contact @Gail_Goodman
Quality trumps quantity. Pick one or two social media
platforms, and devote yourself to learning about them and
using them well.
Joseph Cole Content Writer
Posted on Constant Contact Google+ Page
Find a trusted friend who also has a business that has
been using a social media channel, and start learning
from them.
Don Richardson Digital Popcorn
@DigitalPopcorn
…reach out to your best customers first (and worry about finding new
customers after you are established) and let their enthusiasm help catapult
your sustained success.
Lynette Young Founder of Purple Stripe Productions and
author of Google+ for Small Businesses @LynetteRadio
Be a lurker in social media before diving in to learn the ropes and create a strategy that will work for your biz.
Alyssa Gregory
The Small Business Bonfire @AlyssaGregory
Visuals are easier to relate to than text, so include images in your content that can be pinned to Pinterest and shared across
other networks.
Cynthia Sanchez Founder, Oh So Pinteresting
@OSPInteresting
Be honest, be warm, be authentic, and put yourself
in the shoes of your customers on social media.
Kim Garst
CEO of Boom! Social @KimGarst
Fight social media overwhelm by keeping it SIMPLE; don't be on every social media network —
only where your audience spends lots of time and help them.
Mike Gingerich
Co-founder of Tabsite @mike_gingerich
Pick one network and do it well first. Choose one that you like to
use personally and are comfortable using. Master it.
Julia C. Campbell
J Campbell Social Marketing @JuliaCSocial
Study your competition and watch where they
participate in social dialog. Don't reinvent the wheel.
Mike Stelzner Founder, Social Media Examiner
@ Mike_Stelzner
Start slowly with one or two platforms that your audience or
potential audience uses. Find content and conversation starters that resonate
with them, and post consistently.
Beth Kanter Beth’s Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media
@kanter
As you're developing your overall social media strategy and goals, spend time on various social
media sites and get a sense for the best practices of each platform, plus the top conversation topics and
questions about your business and industry.
Jessica Gioglio Social Media Manager, Dunkin’ Donuts Author of The Power of Visual Storytelling
@savvybostonian
Be useful and indispensable.
John Haydon
Founder of Inbound Zombie and Author of Facebook Marketing for Dummies
@JohnHaydon
Don't take on too much. Focus on doing one thing
right on social media before moving on.
Lisa Kalner Williams Founder, Sierra Tierra Marketing
@sierratierra
Have enormous empathy for your audience — in other words, look at
things from their point of view. Be useful to your audience. Think: Would people THANK ME for this? Is it meeting their
needs, or just fulfilling my agenda?
Ann Handley Chief Content Officer, MarketingProfs
@MarketingProfs
Identify your goals, then make a plan!
Ashley Taylor Anderson
Marketing Manager, SinglePlatform @SinglePlatform
Be consistent and be yourself.
Sean D’Souza
Chief Brain Auditor, Psychotactics @seandsouza
You're not gonna break stuff, just
get started!
Joey C Creator, GoodMorningGloucester.com
@Joey_C
Share something small every day. Small things over
time get big. (And read my book, of course:
http://showyrwork.com)
Austin Kleon Author of Show Your Work!
@austinkleon
Hire a professional (like my company) to manage it if you are unable to put forth the time and
effort to run it effectively.
Manage Your Media Posted on Constant Contact Facebook Page
All good things come from focusing on who you’re trying to
reach and how you can make them successful.
Dave Charest Sr. Manager, Content & Social Media, Constant Contact
@DaveCharest
After creating your accounts, follow like minded businesses, then watch and observe to get the tone of the platform, then
begin to engage.
Pam Wood Owner, Ballroom Made Simple
Posted on Constant Contact Google+ Page
Don't talk to people, talk with them.
Catherine Russell Content Writer
Posted on Constant Contact Google+ Page
Watch your spelling!
Tammy Weaver
Posted on Constant Contact Facebook Page
You don't have to create all original content, just be a
good source for trending content in your industry.
Shannon Faulkner CEO, Delphis Creative Marketing Solutions
Posted on Constant Contact Google+ Page
Learn from the experts and never pass up a social
media class or seminar.
Charles River Running Posted on Constant Contact Facebook Page
Provide value and don't expect immediate results.
Rick Bannerman Digital Marketing Consultant
Posted on Constant Contact Google+ Page
Don’t worry about being on every social network — focus on the ones that your audience uses because they’ll be more likely to
engage with you and see your messages there.
Azure Collier
Social Media Education Developer, Constant Contact @AzureCollier
Let your personality shine through. It's your biggest
differentiator and will attract the right people to your business!
Jonathan Cooney
Co-founder, The Bridge @TheBridgeSpot
Try to be informative and share some useful
tips.
Robert Connell Posted on Constant Contact Facebook Page
The key is to focus on the right conversations that are meaningful to your business, like replies
on Twitter, posts to your fan page on Facebook and to look for the local, targeted conversations
you can become a part of.
Tammy Kahn Fennell
CEO and Co-founder, MarketMeSuite @TammyKFennell
Get professional advice on how to use it. It’s not
the same as your personal page.
The Dinner Daily
Posted on Constant Contact Facebook Page
Choosing the most relevant social channel for your business is the key to making it work effectively for you
and getting the best return on investment possible.
Matt Ward President/CEO, inConcert Solutions
@inConcertWeb
Be authentic. Be yourself. Don't try to copy someone else's game plan.
Every company is different and your unique content must come from the heart and soul of your
company. Be you.
Leslie Fishlock Founder and CEO, Geek Girl Camp
@geekgirlcamp
Forget what you know about traditional marketing, use social
media to focus on getting to know your customers.
Danielle Cormier
Social Media Community Manager, Constant Contact @dcorms
Start out right by being consistent on the platform that you own — begin by creating content on your blog that solves the problems of your ideal
customer, include a shareable image in each post, and then share that post on just
1 or 2 social platforms to begin with.
Donna Moritz Founder, Socially Sorted
@SociallySorted
If you're using Facebook, make sure you've got a Facebook PAGE and not
a profile!
Kim Walker Leader of Social Media Management, 5 Stones Media, LLC
@5stonesmedia
Start with one channel and become consistent.
Todd Smith Director of Marketing, Catamaran Marketing
@catamarketing
Approach social from the eye of the buyer and write or curate
content that improves their life or business.
Karla Williams
Success Strategist, Karla Williams Speaks @KarlaWSpeaks
Figure out which channel works for your industry
and focus on it first.
Carlos Scarpero Founder, Mr.Leads
@DaytonSEOservic
Don’t over think it! Be authentic, be real,
be you.
Kristen Curtiss Social Media Content Developer, Constant Contact
@KristenCurtiss
Find out what platform your customers and potential customers
use and focus your efforts there rather than trying to be everywhere.
Anne Siri
Owner, Iris Web Studio @iriswebstudio
Be strategic and focus on one platform that seems most
promising for your brand and be awesome at that, rather than being mediocre at a bunch of
different platforms.
Matt Steele Social Media Planner, San Diego Zoo
@mattofsteele
Identify the correct social media platform(s) and then post with some consistency, commit to at
least once per week.
Matthew Service Founder, Service Internet Solutions
@mattservice
Choose the social media platforms that work for your
business and reach your target market.
Jenneil Peters
CEO and Founder, Modern Working Woman @ModWorkingWoman
Don’t push, engage!
John Hinnant Posted on Constant Contact Facebook Page
Thanks for sticking around. We hope it was helpful.
If you’re interested in more social media advice, flip to
the next page.
If not, thanks again and best of luck with your social media marketing!
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