Social media marketing, sometimes called digital media marketing, is the utilization of various social media sites and platforms to advertise a product or service effectively. Although the terms digital and e-marketing are now dominant in academic circles, social media marketing has become increasingly popular for researchers and practitioners alike. The internet allows for quick, inexpensive, targeted marketing that can reach millions of customers instantly. By creating a large following on social networking sites, businesses can provide news, articles, or other content pertinent to their specific niche and target a specific group of consumers or clients.
A key strategy for implementing effective social media marketing campaigns is to develop an effective and adaptable marketing message. The nature of these social media sites and the ability to reach so many consumers at once make it easy for a company to develop a response strategy quickly and effectively. If a company does not have a well-developed marketing message, they may find themselves coming under fire from consumers who feel the message is inaccurate, misleading, or just plain wrong. A company should develop a clear plan of action before beginning any social media campaign. This plan should include goals, a strategy for achieving those goals, and any necessary resources to ensure success.
A comprehensive social media marketing plan should include a website, an email list, a blog, relevant discussion groups, an affiliate program, content pages, and a number of other methods to promote the business. By implementing these different components of the social strategy, a company can ensure that the marketing message is delivered in a unique and engaging way to build customer trust. Creating a strong customer base is a crucial step in the evolution of a company or brand, and can be the difference between success and failure. Although this technology has been around for some time, its growth and implementation in the context of a specific business or industry is only just starting to reach its full potential. Companies that invest in this new medium could reap the rewards of future earnings and market penetration.