Social Media and Seniors
We have written about the growing power of social media as a critical part of any organization’s branding strategy and digital marketing solution. Across all age groups, more and more people now turn to social media as a source of entertainment, product information, shopping advice and countless other applications. Social media channels should be a seamless part of any digital marketing solution or branding strategy, including those aimed specifically at seniors. The latest Pew Research Center report on Internet and Social Media Use reports that a majority of 55+ and senior adults use Facebook and YouTube daily or frequently.
But how do you leverage the power of social media for your business or practice? Most businesses, professional practices and nonprofits are probably missing out on potential contacts, referrals and sales that can come from social media sources. It does not have to be that way!
At Axiom, we have been producing social media content for years, concentrating on Facebook and YouTube. As part of the OurSeniors.net Family of organizations, we use social media to engage 55+ and senior adults in activities and events that literally build a feeling of family. Often, we combine these two social media vehicles, embedding YouTube video presentations into Facebook content. You can see an example at “OurSeniors.net Brunch & Learn Feb 1, 2019,” a YouTube video that is integrated into the OurSeniors.net Facebook page.
Axiom specializes in digital marketing solutions and branding strategies that target the 55+ and senior markets. Let us show you how we can bring your business or service organization to the attention of Florida’s large and growing 55+ adult and senior population, the “Silver Consumers.” Social media platforms are an ever more important part of branding strategies, so turn to Axiom to reach this key market. Please visit Axiom’s small business services page or call Axiom at 800-888-6348.
Integrating Social Media into Your Website
Axiom has often written about the growing power of social media as a critical part of an organization’s branding strategy and overall digital marketing solution. Across all age groups, Americans now turn to social media as a source of entertainment, product information, shopping advice and countless other applications (see “Updated Statistics for Social Media”) . Social media channels should be a seamless part of good digital marketing solutions and a successful branding strategy.
But how do you leverage the power of social media on your site? Most businesses, professional practices and nonprofits are probably missing out on potential contacts, referrals and sales that can come from social media sources. Here are some simple suggestions for integrating your website and social media platforms to fashion a digital marketing solution that works.
Place Social Media Buttons on the Home Page. This seems obvious but some cheap web designs ignore this basic rule. Social media buttons should be displayed in their own distinct section of the webpage, probably on the top, bottom or along the side of your home page. Ideally, they should remain in that same location as the user moves from page to page in the website. It’s a good idea to ensure that users don’t leave your website altogether by clicking a social media button, so create links that open in new tabs without leaving your page.
Choose Social Media Links Carefully. If you are the owner or operator of a business or professional practice, it is not likely that you have time for every single social media platform. You must choose the ones that will be most effective for your purpose. Do not link out to social media channels in which you are not active. By “active,” we mean that you post or update at least weekly. If you do not have the time for doing this across multiple platforms, then drop the least productive and delete the links or buttons.
Use “Share” Buttons. Share buttons make it easy for website viewers to seamlessly recommend or share knowledge about a product, service or idea. If you have resources like a blog or articles on your website, make it as easy as possible for readers to share it with others. Social media share buttons should be displayed in an easily seen location and they should be used across all of your digital marketing solutions. This means placing them on your Facebook and Google+ pages, as well as your website. If you do not know how to use share buttons, get the advice of a professional internet marketing agency.
Know the Platform’s Terms and Conditions. A personal Facebook page should not be used for promoting a brand name, and there are rules to follow when running a promotional page. Likewise, Google+ and other platforms have a set of “terms and conditions” for use. Not adhering to these rules can get your page removed.
Do Not Overuse or Abuse Social Media Platforms or Share Buttons. The content you place on social media platforms should be compelling, useful information that is easily shareable. Littering your website with excess social media share buttons will detract from your overall branding strategy. When you post on a platform or include a share button, be sure that the material adds value to the viewer’s experience. Is it useful? If not, delete it.
Learn to Use Analytics. Tools like Google Analytics can tell you a lot about the ways in which individuals use your social media and share buttons. Google Analytics tracks vital statistics on a number of website elements, including social media and share buttons. If you do not have the time to track this for yourself, it might be wise to turn the job over to a professional internet marketing agency or an expert in SEO techniques.
Social media platforms are an ever more important part of branding strategies. If you are struggling to find digital marketing solutions that work and branding strategies that make your business stand out, turn to Axiom. Your business deserves more than a cheap web design, and Axiom is more than an internet marketing agency. Axiom Administrative Services has the professional skill and small business SEO skills needed to get your web presence the ranking it deserves.
Our business marketing team can combine traditional marketing tools like direct mail advertising with local SEO services to build your branding strategy. Please visit Axiom’s small business services page or call Axiom at 800-888-6348.
Achieving the Best Results In Social Media
More and more, branding strategies, SEO strategies and SEO techniques have come to rely on social media. For a small business or service provider, success in the social media has become essential to finding a digital marketing solution that works. The truth is that this is not easy.
There are literally billions of websites today, each trying to convey some message. Every internet marketing agency dreams of a shortcut to social media success, but sadly, there is no “Press This Easy Button” for social media. The only certain way is to keep at it, be certain that your website or blog is current (or hire an internet marketing agency to do it for you) and follow some common sense rules.
Remember that the social media world is full of entertainment, much of it professionally produced. Unless you are a professional writer, video producer or musician, there is not much chance that you can compete on an entertainment stage. The good news is that millions of viewers are looking for content that is useful, as well as entertaining. “Useful” can mean many different things. If the viewer is looking for tax help, a Facebook article or YouTube presentation from a tax accountant may fit the bill perfectly.
One of Axiom’s clients, OurSeniors.net, is devoted to serving the needs of senior age adults (a very large and important market). OurSeniors.net publishes articles that focus on content that is especially useful to seniors. These articles are kept current and fill a need. For example, almost all seniors are interested in the Social Security System; OurSeniors.net makes itself useful to that target audience by publishing material like, “Changes in Social Security Benefits, 2018.” Timely information of this type is designed to get the target audience to “click-in,” “turn-on” and to return time after time.
Social media that is visual is more likely to be noticed and remembered. One internet marketing agency conducted a study that confirmed this finding – Facebook image posts got 179% more interactions than the average Facebook post. A graphic element may be as important to a social media post as the text itself. The professionals at Axiom have access to vast libraries of images. Using one of these graphics or an embedded video produced by Axiom can add immensely to the attraction and success of your website and social media effort.
Put some variety in your social media. You need to update your social media content frequently in a way that is always consistent with your branding strategy, but avoid harping on the same subject over and over. If you lack the imagination or the time to consistently produce varied content, stick to short-form social media like Twitter or hire someone to do it for you.
Always remember the rule of brevity, or at least appropriate length for the media. Some social media content cannot be held to just a few words or paragraphs, but do not allow yourself to run on and on, past a reasonable length. Website readers or viewers can get bored just as book readers or film goers sometimes do.
There is a lot to think about, isn’t there? Many people could learn these skills if they had the time and inclination, but few professional or business people do. That is what an internet marketing agency with good SEO techniques can do for you. If you are struggling to find digital marketing solutions that work and branding strategies that make your business stand out, turn to Axiom. Your business deserves more than a cheap web design, and Axiom is more than an internet marketing agency. Axiom Administrative Services has the professional skill and small business SEO skills needed to get your web presence the ranking it deserves. Our business marketing team can combine traditional marketing tools like direct mail advertising with local SEO services to build your branding strategy. Please visit Axiom’s small business services page or call Axiom at 800-888-6348.
What’s the role of social media in business?
Facebook is the biggest social media site, but there are many others that cater to different sorts of audiences. Read, “The Role of Social Media in Business” to find out how social media can be part of your overall digital marketing and internet marketing plan.
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The influence of Social media continues to grow, making these platforms ever more important for businesses of all types. AXIOM will be there! Visit AXIOM now on these social media platforms:
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Social media continues to grow in importance for businesses of all types. Axiom will be there! Visit Axiom now on these social media platforms-
