My work in social media marketing and blogging began in 2009. Clients were increasingly asking for our agency’s opinions and counsel in regard to whether social media marketing was right for them. I decided to lead the charge and dig and in. I created a blog for myself on Blogspot and also started my Twitter account. Shortly thereafter, a client at the time, Henning Software, invited me to join in a presentation at the 2010 PMPA National Conference in Pittsburgh. The presentation was called, “Social Media: Even a Caveman Can Do it.”
As I became better at social networking for myself, I learned how methodologies could be adapted for businesses. I learned the value of influential accounts, which ultimately has evolved into its own genre of influencer marketing. I learned how to select with care hashtags used to promote blog posts.
Often I have heard the argument that while social media and blogging is great for consumer companies, it does not have the same foothold in the B2B world. I understand the foundations for this argument, but I disagree with it. The usage of social media marketing just needs to be altered depending on the audience. I have seen tremendous success with B2B companies who have used social media marketing for education, brand building, and even recruitment in recent years.
The Tools
I am proficient in the following social media marketing tools:
Twitter (for as long as it still exists)
Hootsuite
For blogging, I am proficient in WordPress, including the Avada theme.
Achievements in Social Media Marketing
There are several accomplishments I can look back on with my pride where social media marketing is concerned:
• I have launched social media service lines at two different marketing firms.
• Though advised to sunset several different accounts at the hospital where I worked, I brought engagement to Facebook and Instagram in particular.
• I was able to increase the popularity of a brand through re-sharing customer testimonials, which motivated other happy customers to share their testimonials as well.
• I have helped resuscitate or jumpstart numerous social media marketing platforms for businesses, both in the B2B and B2C sectors.
Achievements in Blogging
• The achievement I am most proud of in my blogging history is the development of a special blog dedicated to the 100th anniversary of a local company called Wallover Oil (no longer in business). I created a content calendar that was based on covering approximately a decade at a time. I tied the company’s history into American history at large and received many compliments on the thoroughness of my research and on the concept in general.
• On a personal level I have had the privilege of blogging on several industry-leading blog sites including ProBlogger, SpinSucks, and Chris Brogan referenced me often and shared several of my posts.
My Methodology
In the case of both blogging and social media marketing, I begin with planning and research. I have never believed that a company should start a blog one day, or “jump onto Facebook.” I always propose what I call a social media audit, first. This evaluates what 2-3 competitors of the company in question are doing with their own social media marketing. I review whether what they are posting seems to be resonating with their audiences. I audit what the company I am working with has done on social media platforms, if anything. I summarize what has worked and what has not worked, and from this research, I propose a strategic approach. The same holds true for blogging.
The next step for both tactics is to create an editorial calendar. If you cannot come up with a month’s worth of social media posts or 25 blog posts, this represents to me a significant stopping point. I always propose to companies that they publish 5-10 posts right away so that when people like the first post they can go on to read other posts as well.
These methodologies have been the core of my success and are part of why so many clients have asked for my consultation for both social media marketing and blogging.