Year after year we help our community, clients, and friends understand best practices for online marketing. As we exit 2015 we want to look back at what worked, didn't work, and focus on value. 

In this post we'll share 3 of 7 top social media tips for 2016.  

Join us online Nov 18 @ 9am for our 2016 Social Media Strategy webinar!

1. Don't ignore social media for another year. 

Your online reputation is key to your business growth. There is no way around this.  The longer you wait the further behind your competition you'll find yourself.  This isn't a scare tactic to get you to buy into anything. This is your friend telling you to get started. You don't need to go big or go home, quite the opposite - start where you feel comfortable. 

2. Think of a way to integrate video.

If you've been around me for any amount of time I'm constantly reminding you that your online presence shortens the sale cycle because people feel like they LIKE you...

Win the YELP Battle!
In 2004-05 the world was graced with the ability to find local restaurants/services, review our favorite places, and read recommendations and reviews from others.  Although consumers found this handy especially when visiting a new neighborhood.  The battle between business owners and Yelp began, and today a real struggle.

In 11 years time Yelp has found their advertising platform to be quite lucrative.  If you're a business owner chances are you get daily/weekly calls from San Francisco asking if you'd like to advertise or increase your advertising budget with Yelp.  Business owners complain that Yelp uses FEAR tactics to get business owners to pull the trigger.  Yelp is willing to bend over backwards to help you start an advertising campaign, but have yet to find a strategy to help you with fraudulent reviews, etc...

Before you read on, where I can't help you:

• If you generally don't offer good/excellent customer service. 
• You're...

"Dear Presidential contenders of 2016, do yourself a favor and use a memorable hashtag."

Next year (2016) is a Presidential Election year (YAY, exciting). I remember as a little girl voting day, and the excitement of the results. One specific election I remember was in 1992. I was at the softball fields where my mom and co-workers played co-ed softball. To include my teacher, teacher friends, dad, and various staff.  Such a fond memory. There we heard the news, I'm assuming by radio. There were no cell phones, definitely no smart phones. Although I never did get 'into politics' I do love the process and my country.  

I started my company in 2009. We focus on helping businesses attract and retain their client base. My brain is constantly wrapped up in social media, marketing, and the thought process of consumers. As I begin to see more and more campaigning something dawned on me...

Due to the constant growth of social media we WILL see another INCREASE in voter...

From the Point of View of Business Owners & Marketing Professionals
Common questions from actual professionals.

For business owners and marketing professionals of 10+ years they've seen a huge change in marketing, media, sales, and technology.  A major component of this change is Social Media and Google Search. Out of social media and Google search came the need for 3rd party tools to help create funnels, call-to-actions, and greater integration of lead generating tools.

I want to take a moment to highlight these common statements I hear from this segment of professionals.  And add some insight for each.  Chances are you have these same questions. 

I wish social media...

• Didn't take so much time.
• Brought in more sales.
• Easier to implement. 
• Easier to understand.
• Didn't exist.

Before we answer these questions let's face reality.  Digital marketing will only evolve from here.  Whether you get on board or not, these online channels will continue...

"Create a customer journey. Guide your audience from the time they first notice you to the time they choose you. Increase your Visibility, Credibility, and LIKEability in a few strategic steps."

Does your business have a social media strategy? 6 out of 10 small businesses have issues with their social media strategy.  Either they aren't seeing results, they can't stay consistent, they don't know what to do next. Most have started a page but don't actively post or engage.  In addition, they are shooting from the hip and don't have a plan of action.  This is where the #socialbusinessplan comes in. 

By implementing just a little bit of planning you can make sense of your social media. Most importantly you can make your social media profitable and productive.

Here are 5 easy and effortless steps you can take today to create your profitable online presence...

1. Determine your overall goals and your objectives

Your social media and online marketing goals are not...

"Building an online audience takes time.  However, there are ways to make big waves and see results right away when you know your target audience." 

Each year we'll continue to see a shift in social media usage.  These stats will be outdated soon (if they aren't slightly already).  As a company you have the obligation to constantly market to the right audience.  Social media must be part of that effort (if you haven't leveraged this online space - you're behind). There is no time like the present to begin your journey on the profitable social media road. (continued below)

Stats via Pew Research Center

After reviewing these stats you may have these questions:

• Why Google+? Although Google+ trails in comparison to other channels, Google is the 3rd most valuable brand in the world. Also, the leading search engine. In a nutshell, use Google+ for the search (SEO) benefits.
• I thought Facebook was phasing out? Whoever told you Facebook is phasing out was...

Inbound Marketing Serves Your Business in more ways than you can imagine!

A valuable piece of advice: Inbound marketing is important to your business (B2B, B2C, Government, Utilities, etc..). Why? Using your (strategic) content to market (content marketing) your company is the BEST way to increase your VISIBILITY, CREDIBILITY, and LIKEability. Share your content through your blogging, social media, email marketing, video, and more. These are the leading ways to lead generation.

Using social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc) and email/video marketing is great for business, you can turn strangers into customers and brand advocates. You generate exposure online for your products and services - which leads to new customers, word of mouth, and brand ambassadors. Inbound marketing strategies allow you to showcase your brand, and help your audience to LIKE, KNOW, TRUST you. By publishing original content you are showing off your...

Not every social media presence is built the same, nor should it be. Your social media presence has everything to do with your audience, industry, goal, and product/service.  

Two years ago you'd find us advising companies that 'social media may not be for everyone.' Much has changed since then. Google has updated search algorithms, consumers and buyers have become more sophisticated, daily internet use has skyrocketed.

The answer to your question is yes. Your business needs social media representation. The next step is understanding WHAT you need.

Supporting Articles:
Hootsuite: Here are 10 benefits of social media for business
Forbes: Why Your Business Must Embrace Social Media Yesterday

Is it time to take that next step?

Getting Started is Fun & Risk Free! You choose:

• 15 Min Consultation
• Social Media Breakthrough
• #SocialBusinessPlan

We look forward to talking with you.  We are a click or call away!  

Be sure to connect with us on social media.

I'm pretty sure this is a question stock holders are asking. Because the end user is quite happy with Twitter.

Your sponsored ads don't distract me at all, I'm able to bypass as I wish with no problem. Rarely are the ads even something I'm interested in. I'm assuming the ad platform is leaving much to be desired by the advertiser? My question, what are you doing with the audience once you paid to reach them? Are you joining conversations? Are you selling? Are you targeting the right audience in the first place?

Twitter isn't about having the most followers. Twitter is about conversations and interaction. If you have a selfish social media strategy I can guarantee you probably aren't seeing your goals, hopes, dreams, and Twitter aspirations being fulfilled.

Engagement on any social media platform is a thankless job. Sometimes the ROI is instant, some (most) of the time it isn't.

Even today in 2015 people see social media as a platform to sell their product or service. Social media is...

We had a great time in New York with NAWBO chapter leaders across the country! Please enjoy this highlight video.

We personally invite you to attend a future NAWBO conference. Events

Find your local chapter and get involved. If you have questions about NAWBO we invite you to send them our way connect (@) Socializela.com.

Thanks for stopping by,
The ANROMA Team