The Brand Evangelist

I wrote a post in the past on DIY [Do It Yourself] approach to social media, what the social media experts won't tell you. There I stated that trial and error can help you design a unique social media marketing strategy.

But Is social Media Marketing LUCK?

NO. It has an element of luck.

You cannot determine when a campaign will go viral. You may initiate a campaign with the intention that it should go viral, but there is no guarantee. There are factors you can't control.
You can't tell people how to use Facebook or Twitter. People decide their own way. Even Facebook and Twitter are not telling people how to Facebook or Tweet.

Things you should not leave to luck

1. Social media marketing goal. The goals you set must be measurable and meaningful. Deciding to gain 20,000 likes (Facebook) or 10,000 followers (Twitter) is a goal that is achievable and measurable. However it is meaningless in marketing. I wrote a post on the value of building business relationships over accumulating numbers. Example of meaningful goal could be - gather insight for your brand or increase awareness.

2. Data Collected for analysis. You can use certain tool to collect and analyse data. The data you mine must be able to provide you with information that will help you in deciding if you're achieving your goal. To gather insight, you can ask your community questions on Twitter or Facebook. The information you gather could them be use to create more value for your customers.

3. Best time to engage. Through careful observation and direct questioning I was able to know that the best time to engage with my own community on Facebook and Twitter is 8am - 10am, 12noon to 2pm 5pm to 7pm, 10pm to 12am [Nigerian time] at other times they are either asleep or at work. You have to observe yours. What is the benefit of sharing information when the people who are to see it are not available?

4. Social Network Platform to use. Your service and the people you're targeting will determine the platform to use and how to use it. Most users of social networks in Nigeria access social network via their mobile phone. If you're targeting such people, it is obvious that they won't see adverts you place on Facebook [I typed the draft of this post from my usual Nokia E71 btw].

Don't just do trial and error, research.

A social media marketing strategy will help you save resources that can result from trial and error. Get yours drafted today and stop leaving your social media marketing effort to luck!
What challenges are you having in implementing an effective social media strategy? Let me know in the comments and I will share my experience with you.

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We lunch the tech community on twitter tomorrow.

It is going to be one of the most interesting and enjoyable ride you’ve ever had online. Either new to twitter chat or not, it is certainly going to be lots of fun and value adding to each participants.

Believing you have already read in details here what the twitter community of tech lovers is all about and the benefits attached to it, I am going to set the background for the lunch.

Background for the launch

Tomorrow, May 13th, 2011, by 12noon GMT (1pm Nigerian time and 8am EST) we would be having the Lunch of the community on twitter. We have an invited guest, her name is Deborah Elzie. she is with The Kuyu project team - The Kuyu Project is a digital literacy initiative aimed at teaching African youth how to fully utilize social media and other digital tools to effect social change in their communities to achieve their goals and objectives. She is also with Story spaces and AfriWiT (African Women in Technology). She has love and passion for Africa and tech.

I met her on twitter. Twitter is a wonderful tool for sharing and networking. this is what we are leveraging on with this new community we are forming and lunching May 13, 2011.

woot! woot! today is a greatday!

I am having my groove on. I can't hold it any longer, I had to blog about it. There are several experts, Ninjas, Pundits, Jedi and social media gurus, who state different Rules, to do and not do on the social web. I usually try them all, If any particular one works for me I use it, If it doesn't work I drop it.

It is easier to get overwhelmed with the different rules that are peddled everywhere online. Many of them are great, but not all the ideas would work for you or your brand/business.

The first question to answer is; 

'What am I here for? Next;

Who do I want to connect with?

Why do I want to connect with him/them?

what is my message?

Your answer to these questions would be your guide to the type of twitter guide line that would work best for you.

It is an awesome revelation to see how social is changing the way business is being done. I once wrote an article titled; 'The end of business as usual' I am however shocked, why many still do not get social media.

Early this week, I got an e-mail from a prospective client, who wants to build a blog and spread her influence via the social web. I was however shocked when she exclaimed; 'Are you charging me for Facebook? I thought Facebook is free.'

While some are still satisfied with doing business as usual, they should be disturbed by the future, why? the amount of interaction, sharing, conversation and engagement going on online is immense and growing as shown by the chart below. It is better to come on board now, as your competitors are already using social media and positioning themselves for the big kill. Plus, it is easier to collect data, analyze the user data and use it to improve the product or service delivery.

Infographic credit - SocialBakers.com