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    How do you create a social listening strategy?

    social listening

    Social media has the power to influence the world around us. Whether it’s our every day relationships, longstanding education or our enhanced shopping experiences, for the most part, we solidify these social connections by the way we choose to communicate through our social channels. But, before the widespread fame of social media, marketers heavily relied on television, radio stations or billboard advertising to get the word out about the benefits and advantages of their products and services. With the steady progress of technology and the hands-on accessibility of the internet, social media has drastically changed our world and the world of marketing. So, if you’re seeking a better way to understand your customers or simply want to engage, then perhaps you should consider diving in and creating a social listening strategy.

    What is social listening?

    Social listening is the process of listening to the online conversations of customers and potential buyers. Primarily done through the use of social media, this practice allows a business owner, or digital marketing firm, to be able to collect valuable data revolving around specific topics related to their industry niche, and even brands, services and products.

    How does social listening differ from monitoring?

    Since these two terms are often compared in the digital marketing sphere, we thought that we would break down the barriers that differ between them.

    While, you’re somewhat familiar with social listening, social monitoring is simply the process of watching for @mentions and comments that pour into your social media channels, mobile apps and blogs. Although it’s important to be aware that not all the conversations are relevant to your brand will appear within your notifications, so you’ll need to be diligent with your digging.

    On the other hand, social listening dives much deeper by tracking relevant keywords, phrases, events and organizations that are implemented within your social strategy in order to actively find all the relevant conversations that are able to provide insight, meaning or context to your brand and niche.

    What are some advantages of social listening?

    Let’s consider the data that social listening has the ability to provide you with.

    Social measurement: Successful social media marketing involves a little bit of trial and error. In order to drive your success, you must first determine the tactics that work for your company. Social listening can help point you in the right direction so that not too much time will be wasted determining tactics that are already working in your niche.

    Content marketing: Most of your success as a business owner will rely on your ability to deliver content to your consumers. Whether it’s your scholarly product descriptions or some guided insights into your service, powerful words can really resonate with your audience. Social listening can provide further insight into what topics your consumers are discussing, which allows your to deliver content that outlines points, concerns and questions before even having to be asked.

    Generates leads: Social listening allows you to boost your lead generation because your organization is constantly tracking relevant industry conversations. Once your team has executed their social listening strategy effectively, they have the potential to uncover new clients through the use of these interactions.

    Competitive analysis: Social listening allows you to gain perspective on the insights on your own company, while also allowing you to maintain tabs on the competition around you. Find out what your competitors are doing well and make a plan to executive it even better.

    Customer service: If you have a person who is in charge of your social listening maintenance, then your organization will constantly be on top of its customer service. Tracking conversations allows you to provide incredible customer service by combating problems in a timely, appropriate manner and offering helpful responses to your customer’s questions. This helps build trust and loyalty that extends far beyond your brand and has the ability to assert your position as a leader in your industry.

    How do you get started?

    It sounds super easy, right? Well, here’s how you can get started on your social listening strategy.

    • Define your goals
    • Develop a keyword strategy
    • Invest in the right tools
    • Take action

    If you need a better understanding of social listening or need any help get started, contact a professional digital marketing agency to help point you in the right direction or simply handle all the elements on your behalf.

    Do you have any other questions about social listening? Ask us in the comments section below.

     

    What is social selling and how can it help with your sales?

    social selling

    The traditional methods of sales have transformed over the years and evolved into a more contemporary approach known as social selling. E-commerce business owners are utilizing the power of social networking to connect, communicate, engage, research and build up trust with potential buyers. The best part of this new selling technique is that people feel less targeted and annoyed, which can usually convert into an increase in sales. But what elements comprise the design of social selling?

    What is social selling?

    Social selling is a sales process that takes place by using the various social media platforms to reach out to your consumer market. Comparable to a casino slot machine (lots of misses and an occasional hit) social selling is a tactic used by businesses to push sales. Although campaigns have the ability to organically appear on buyers’ news feeds, they also have the potential to get missed in the mayhem of scrolling through.

    Needless to say, most consumers find social selling to be an all-round pleasant experience when compared to the in-your-face methods of traditional selling. Social selling is also about creating a following just as much as creating sales. Generally speaking, consumers feel like the price point of a product or service are better if the sales approach isn’t as forceful.

    Why is social selling beneficial to your company?

    Before the massive wave of internet-friendly sales, sales people dominated this interaction between face-to-face. Now many people turn to the internet to meet their shopping needs, because they feel as if sales people have become too pushy and believe that they are simply trying to sell their product and not inform the public in the process.

    To an extent this may be true. Back in the day all that salespeople needed was lots of sales skills and little to no product knowledge. Yet, social selling has revolutionized consumer access to product information. Not to mention the high-quality content is engaging to buyers.

    Savvy sales professionals, both through traditional means and online, have become familiar with what their consumers want through the use of social listening and social sales. Instead of being the customers only means of information, e-commerce business owners now know that there is a plethora of facts available after a quick Google search. This allows them to curve their sales judgement and rethink their sales approach.

    Needless to say, products are still advertised (more uniquely as a matter of fact), only buyers now have the chance to browse, seek out the best deal or product and read reviews all from the comfort of their own home. Social selling is the new approach to sales in the modern era.

    How has your company benefited by using social selling as a selling strategy? Tell us in the comments section below.

    The marketing benefits of social listening

    social listening

    There are many elements that should be involved in your social media management process. Part of what drives buyers to make purchases is your ability to connect with them and put a face behind your product. When people feel that a company supports their values, they are inclined to give their loyalty as a customer. By using social listening as a means to understand consumers you are taking full advantage of a key social media marketing benefit.

    What is social listening?

    For those of you who are not accustomed to hearing the term, social listening is the process of being aware of online conversations that are taking place amongst your customers (and potential buyers) through the use of their social media platforms. By familiarizing yourself with this practice, you are allowing it to be used as a tool to collect valuable data on topics, industries and brands.

    Social listening vs. social media monitoring

    Although both terms suggest keeping tabs on your buyers, social media monitoring is not the same practice. Though they are similar, social media monitoring is when an e-commerce business owner, or a hired social media professional, simply watch social media channels for mentions or comments about their brand. However, social listening involves a more in-depth insight into this conversation.

    Interestingly enough, there are conversations that you may find valuable as a business owner that are taking place without appearing in your notifications tab. Actually, studies suggests that only 9% of Tweets that converse about your brand are happening opening on social channels. That means around 91% actually happen without you even knowing. Through the use of social listening you’re able to track keywords, phrases, events and organizations that correlate with your branding. This kind of social media digging provides you with a stronger social presence and other beneficial insights that will aid you in better connecting with your target audience.

    What are some other benefits of social listening?

    • Strategy measurement: Strategies are simply a trial and error process. If something isn’t working, make a new plan. Social listening allows you to measure social engagement and see what is generating the most optimal results.
    • Content marketing: Since a successful business is measured by your ability to deliver good content, social listening will help you to reach your target audience by crafting posts that they care about.
    • Build a reputation: One of the most beneficial elements of using social listening is the prompt ability to handle a social media crisis. While positive mentions are the most ideal, negative mentions do happen and it’s important to tackle these issues to ensure your brands longstanding reputation.

    If you don’t have the spare time to add social listening to your social media strategy consider speaking with a member from our team to help you with the process.

    Have you integrated social listening into your social media strategy? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.