Finding the Right Audience in Social Media Land

Now the fun begins. This is the part of the process where you really need to show some restraint. You know your goals (what you want to get out of this social media endeavor) and you have executive/top-level support. I know, I too would want to shout from the treetops/mountains/every social media tool page I can create as quickly as possible that my company is here! Check us out!!
Stop.
Breathe.
Instead, let's figure out where your customers and potential customers are hanging out in social media land. There are so many social media tool available (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Vine, Tumbler, Flickr, Digg, Blogger, StumbleUpon, My-who? Oh yeah. MySpace. And so many more. You do not have to be represented on every social media tool. Let me repeat that because it is very important.

YOUR BUSINESS DOES NOT NEED REPRESENTATION AND ACTIVITY ON EVERY SOCIAL MEDIA TOOL.

Great. Now what?

Play detective and
find your customers!

I like the way Jay Baer details four "Detective Tricks to Find Your Customers in Social Media" in his blog. I couldn't have said it better myself. My favorites are asking your customers directly (and don't forget to add this to your online forms!) and watching email behavior (#3) and Gmail stalking (#4). These are all free and super easy!
Go where your customers are.
Think about where your potential customers hang out.
That is where you should be.

Oh, and did I mention this is not a one-time activity. Over time, it will seem like new social media tools come out every week. This is just one more reason to keep in touch with a Social Media Consultant. They have a hand on the pulse of the current tools by industry (if they are really paying attention) and can help you adjust your route through the everchanging but still navigable waters of the social network.
So you know which tools you need to be on.
Hmmm, now for a plan...
Watch for my next blog post.