The Official
Moosylvania Blog

Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Pinterest. The digital world is full of social media platforms, and new ones are popping up every day. With scores of social outlets, how do you choose what’s right for your brand, and how do you develop an interactive marketing plan that hits your target with maximum impact? It’s not an easy task, but keeping these simple tips in mind can be a big help:

Know your target audience. What social platforms do they use and why? What type of content are they seeking or sharing in the digital world? The more you know about your audience’s online habits, the more you’ll be able to tap into their interests with relevant brand-related content — at the right place and time.

Do your research. Sign up for new and emerging social networks, and learn what they’re all about. Make sure you’re testing out every feature — even on networks you know. And make sure you’re up-to-date with any recent platform changes, rules or regulations. While you’re at it, do some research on best practices for each platform. The more you know about social networks, the better you can capitalize on them for your brand.

That being said …

Strategize. Don’t try to do it all. Your research may have uncovered a lot of cool social platforms, but take the time to think through which are really relevant. The most impactful interactive marketing plans zero in on relevant platforms. In other words, they’re focused, and they take into account overall brand strategy. You won’t have time to post to every network out there (and your audience won’t have time to check all those places either), so think about which platforms will give you the most bang for your buck, and pool your efforts there.

Don’t forget about content. Where you post is just half the battle. You also need to think about what you’ll say. Content is king in the social world, and can go a long way toward encouraging consumer engagement. Think about interesting and sharable topics that tie back to your overall brand, and map out how often you’ll talk about each. If your interactive marketing plan doesn’t cover what you’ll say and when you’ll say it, as well as where to share, then it’s not going to go far.

Execute with an eye on involvement. Once you’ve created your interactive marketing plan, you’ll need to execute. That doesn’t mean sending posts willy nilly into the wide expanse of the internet. Social is a two-way street, not a one-sided conversation, so be sure to respond to your audience, and keep an eye on what they’re responding to so you can adjust your plan as needed.

and last, but certainly not least …

Take advantage of the internet. There are scores of online articles that offer valuable information, from research on the right time to post, to details on new social network features. Utilize them to help develop or refine your plan. Or better yet, check out iScream Social, the new online app we’re developing that’s designed  to help you craft a social media marketing strategy in just 20 minutes. You can sign up for the beta now.

Have any other tips to share? Leave us a comment and share them below.