The most important part of social media marketing? It is being social … hands down. A difference maker for future success, no doubt.
What skills, though, do successful social media marketers have that put these individuals above the average social media user, and better yet, above the traditional marketer? Authenticity? Personality? Market knowledge?
We don’t have an information shortage, we have an attention shortage.
- Seth Godin
Our vote for the most important type of marketing? Word of mouth marketing, hands down. And the best channels to create word of mouth marketing? Social media, again hands down. A great way to get attention in a crowded marketplace. Seth knows.
To us, it’s clear that it takes a certain type of person to manage social channels. From managing attacks on your brand/company to interacting with people on a daily basis, being in social media requires some specific traits. Here are 14 traits and characteristics of highly effective social media marketers and some tips to help you rock like them:
From constantly reading about new trends and happenings in your industry to learning about your audience, curiosity is key for a successful social media marketer. In this type of position it’s important to know as much as you possibly can about your brand, your industry and the audience you’re catering to.
Be honest in your communications at all cost. Trust is very hard to earn back once lost. It is basis of good relationship building.
Innovation adds ‘flavor’ to your skills and makes them adaptable. Be innovative to stand out above the noise.
Adding humor to marketing is a cool way of saying “we are a friendly business”. It makes your marketing memorable. Gives your brand a distinct personality and yields priceless results.
Patient
Never be pushy, and know the path to the social media community takes time. Be patient yet persistent with all your marketing goals.
Newsworthy
Demonstrate both the ability to make news as well as create effective curation; rarely be predictable yet always consistently adding value.
Writing skills
Create copy that is imaginative as well as provocative. Write with confidence and humility. Be humorous at times but be sure you are taken seriously.
Unpretentious
Don’t create a feeling of ego. Be genuine and humble at all times.
Nurturing style
Avoid a selling style. Always aim to be relentlessly helpful to customers.
Engaging
Practice continuous networking, both online and off. Use many channels to connect. Your goal is to optimize relationship building.
Listener and learner
People usually have something to say, so listen and show appreciation or let them know you are working on it. Never put down or ignore negative feedback. Listen, asks good questions, then listen intently some more. Continuously study and learn from customer insights.
Recognize the consistency of engaging customers promptly. Right on it when customers ask questions or give comments.
Natural leader
Be someone who makes employees around them better. Empower people to act and builds a tribe of likeminded professionals among your peers.
Sharer
Stay open minded and always eager to recognize and share the work of others.
Most of these traits aren’t rocket science, are they? Create a checklist of these traits to keep in the forefront of your thinking. Practice often, and your will certainly see the dividends to your business.
Keep in mind that being social isn’t a new of marketing. It is a new way to run your entire business.
Please share an experience or story on your business’ social media marketing design with this community.
Read more from Digital Spark Marketing’s blog library:
8 Popular Social Media Initiatives for Customer Engagement
Social Commerce Business … What Ben and Jerry’s Knows That You Should Know
12 Ways to Build Social Commerce Business through Great Customer Service