It's no secret that social media is an integral part of any company's marketing strategy. It can be a powerful tool for generating leads, increasing brand awareness, and building relationships with customers. However, there are some 7 dos to keep in mind before diving right into the deep end of the pool and avoid wasting time or money on mistakes!

Dos:

• Start with a social media strategy before diving in.

Make sure you know your goals, the audience you're targeting, and what content is appropriate for that audience. And this is where the Pawn Syndicate members are advancing! If you want to learn more about creating strategies for your social media marketing, you can join the Pawn Syndicate where I meet the members 2x a month in a call to teach them everything from Leadership, Marketing, and Strategy. 

• Build relationships offline too - invite local community members over for coffee/tea and allow questions related to how things work at the office.

Sharing these interactions will also show you are an approachable company (and might even get people excited enough about your business that they may become customers!)

• Share your values and mission.

Your customers will want to hear about what you stand for, which is why it's important that this be clear from the start with a mix of both text posts as well as videos.

• Be patient & persistent!

Social media take time to grow an audience, so don't expect immediate results or give up on one platform when it gets difficult- stick with them all long enough until something sticks (or they all do!). Your efforts are worth it in the end, because social media can truly save your business if done right - just ask any entrepreneur who has tried their hand at using these platforms successfully!

They'll tell you how valuable they've been. 😉

• Be authentic.

Your customers can see when your posts seem like ads or if it sounds like you don’t care about the topic of conversation any more than they do- chances are good that neither one is desirable! Instead, try being conversational with an actual human tone of voice--people will be drawn into conversations because it feels less formal and creates connections through genuine discussion. Make sure to sprinkle in personal thoughts as well. It shows vulnerability which builds trust among followers on social media.

• Don't miss out on a chance at making connections!

What are you doing today that can be seen as "selling?" How about going back over your past posts, looking for opportunities where you're talking specifically to, or tagging someone in particular?

Reach out when they post something new, comment on their photos - it all counts. You'll thank yourself later when those seeds start sprouting into long-term relationships with potential customers who might not know how great your products/services could potentially help them!

• Find influencers to engage with on social media who can help spread awareness about your brand or product.

You want to make it easy for them to share links, images, videos, etc., so they'll be more willing to collaborate!

BONUS!!! Make sure that social media are just one part of an overall marketing plan rather than being used alone! Make sure to utilize email, your website, and any other marketing channels that you're already using!

Social Media and Marketing outreach: Before diving into unknown territory, keep in mind that there are things that could end up being time and money-wasting projects.

Don'ts:

- Don't try to do too many things at once. You might not be able to handle it all and will just end up frustrated or burned out.

- Don't forget about the basics, like email outreach! It's easy for companies that don't have a robust website presence yet to overlook this old-school tool of communication but sending an email first is a great way to start getting your name out there in front of new potential clients.

- Don't forget to reach out to bloggers and journalists. You might not be able to get a full profile on Forbes, but you can probably find someone who covers your industry or business niche that would love an exclusive story or interview with you.

- Don't forget about the power of social media! If it's done right, this should be one of your first places to start building up connections and getting yourself more exposure.

- Don't message people in bulk groups without permission. It is inappropriate because they will feel spammed by messages from strangers (especially since many group members are often acquaintances).

- Don't ignore emailing--or blogging for that matter--as soon as you decide something isn’t working.

- Don't be afraid to reach out and get active! You don’t have to know someone on social media or email to try them. It is worth the risk if you think they might be a good contact for your business.

In conclusion, don't be shy about either social media or email. They both have their own benefits, and there are plenty of ways to get started on them. By taking the time to learn how they work before diving in too deep--you'll be able to take full advantage of all that these powerful tools can offer your business!