Social Media - 6 platforms businesses should consider engaging with
Social Media is the new buzz word for businesses, but it's been buzzing around for quite a while now. The role of social media for business is that of inbound marketing. The value of social media can be fully realised when operated alongside existing outbound marketing strategies. Direct selling should not be the main aim of choosing to utilise social media channels.
For social media to succeed most effectively businesses should also run a blog, an ideal half-way house between the social interactions on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc and the formal speak of the company website. Engaging with customers on social media channels can provide new opportunities to heighten company awareness and improve customer service. Read more about a range of available social media channels by moving your mouse over the icons below.
These social media elements can really help to give your website wings. We'll work with you to establish which are going to be the most appropriate channels for your business, then help you to get up and running with them. We don't only provide social media training and practical help in Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, but we can work with you via Skype or Google+ as well.
Website Wings is based between Oundle and Corby, East Northants and in Northampton. For more information about the services we can provide visit our support page.
For a tutorial on setting up a LinkedIn account follow this link. For help with setting up a Twitter account follow this link.
Youtube is a valuable businesses tool. Videos posted on YouTube can work better in search engines than other types of website or blog content.
Set up an account and start your own channel. Have fun, engage and be followed.
WordPress.com is free to utilise with no hosting costs attached and no database security issues to worry about.
.org, also free, offers greater options for unique customisation. Database security is required and hosting costs are incurred.
Facebook works better with some businesses than with others. However, as it still leads the market in terms of social interaction it should be given a look at by any business.
Having set up a profile you can then set up a company page.
Twitter and blogging work well together, hand in hand on the social media highway,.
It's a shame many businesses still don't 'get' Twitter for it's a great way to interact and manage customer relationships.
Google+ is still in its infancy but it's popularity is growing fast.
You can chat online with your group members, all managed from your home page. Type 'live' message or chat via video link with several people at a time!
LinkedIn is really a must for any business professional who would benefit from linking up with and receiving recommendations from others.
LinkedIn is the slow burner of the social media channels, but perhaps most effective in the long term, if used properly.
Practical help and support with setting up blogs and social media for businesses is a service Website Wings provides for individuals and businesses.
To read articles on blogging and social media visit the Website Wings Wall, our blog.
Subscribe to the blog feed and you'll receive new articles as soon as they're posted, direct to your desktop.
Wings Academy, part of Website Wings provides short courses at business premises and centres in Northamptonshire and surrounding counties. To find information on blogging and social media training visit Website Wings support page
Why not have a dip into the Wings Academy website where you'll find tips and tutorials on setting up accounts and running social media channels.