Social Media Optimization

As you or your business pursues building authority via social media services, I'd recommend you develop a strategy akin to Brian Tracy's 7 P's of Marketing.  After all, establishing your social media strategy IS marketing.

1. Product - who are you and why are you there? Let everyone know every opportunity you get and make sure you focus on that messaging.  Don't stray... don't spread your message too thin.
2. Price, more over value. A social media strategy is all about ensuring that the value of your products or services exceeds the cost.
3. Placement of your messaging where your prospects are.  If I'm going to speak to Indianapolis social media, inbound marketing indianapolis and Indianapolis web design to establish myself as an Indianapolis Online Marketing firm, I need to be establish those messages where the people are that matters!  In local social networks, local networking events, on local blogs, etc.
4. Promotion... everywhere!  Don't just promote yourself, let your customers promote you!
5. Packaging.  Web marketing consultants will always reinforce that a well-packaged image will sell better.  Ensure your pages, your blog, your themes, and your images are all well-designed.
6. Positioning.  Establish yourself as a leader in your field.  This is a competition, and people follow leaders, not just anyone.  If you are winning the race, be sure everyone realizes you're winning the race.  It's not bragging... it's establishing your position relative to the competition.
7. People matter.  This isn't a one-sided conversation.  This is you participating in the conversation, responding to positive and negative criticism, and always being transparent, honest, and available. 
   
   If I were going to add an 8th P, it would be permission:
    
8. Permission is critical.  Don't SPAM!  Utilize double opt-in on messaging.  Request friendships or follow.  Take the time to provide people with the information they need to make a decision, not simply ram your sales pitch down their throat.

I've been taking an incredible online teleseminar course that provides me access to some of the greatest business visionaries in the world and the "7 P's of marketing is superb.  If you're interested in subscribing to the course, send me a note and I'll introduce you to the series.