Myth Busters: Exploring the Relevance of Social Media Marketing

NEW YORK, Nov. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- While small businesses continue to explore ways to integrate social media into their marketing strategy, mixed messages surrounding the medium continue to flourish, leaving business owners wondering if the time and effort spent is worth the reward.  Sorting social media marketing fact from fiction can seem an insurmountable task, but the potential gain from participating far outweighs the work involved to get your campaign off the ground. The following are all-too-common rumors regarding social media and suggested strategies for turning these myths to your advantage:

• If I built it they will come.  Establishing a presence on social media is your first step, but don't expect to generate new business just by creating your account.
• 24/7. Once you have mastered a few social media activities, it will become clear that this marketing strategy doesn't require all of your time and effort. There are also several online tools that can manage and streamline your process.
• If it doesn't go viral, let's call it quits. The objective of your social media efforts shouldn't be limited to whether or not your post goes viral.  Instead, focus on attracting a steady stream of visitors due to the value you offer with your content.
• My target audience doesn't use social media. One of the most common myths is that older customers are not active on social media. While that may have been true early on, you would be excluding a significant number of potential clients if you ignore this avenue.
• I am not a celebrity. Another common myth is that social media only works for rock stars or athletes. Don't base your success on millions of followers or likes, a targeted group of loyal followers will likely translate into more revenue.

For further discussion on the common myths and misconceptions surrounding social media, view the article of Peter LaMotte, SVP at LEVICK, on PR Newswire's Small Business Toolkit: http://bit.ly/13IdI0I

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