Many still struggle with how exactly to measure and attribute success

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All of us at KiMedia Strategies challenge you to make one of your “Be Social goals” this week to Tweet someone new. Step out of your comfort zone and start a conversation with someone you’ve never Tweeted with.

What You Will Gain By Tweeting Someone New

• An expanded network of connections
• Access to even more potentially new connections 
• An awesome mix of personalities
• A network of people that will begin to trust you, your thoughts, abilities and expertise

Ways To Do Expand Your Network

You’d be surprised how much your network could expand if you implemented this into your everyday to-do list.

Be Social Goal (week 1) | Download your free Social Media Goals planner

More often than not people feel like their Social Media efforts are getting them nowhere. This is extremely common especially for the smaller, lesser known businesses, products and brands. When things don’t go the way we planned we immediately think that Social Media itself is to blame and that it really will never work for what your goals are.

This is in fact incorrect and here are 10 reasons why things may not be working in your favor Online.

1. Your goals are unrealistic

You think that because Walmart and Target have generated millions upon millions of followers, fans and engaged conversations that this is where your brand should also be. You compare how they use their Social Media to how you use yours. Fact is, what works for them is NOT going to work for you. You’re a smaller business and you need to create realistic goals. Some of the most awesome strategies Online are being run by companies with less that 5,000 followers.

2. You skimp on the engagement

Blasting content, promotional advertisements and news articles is not and never will be enough. Today consumers are looking to have conversations. They not only want to let you know their thoughts, but they also want to know you care about what they have to say.

3. You follow everyone

You think that the more you follow, the more will buy. This might be true if you were using the “targeting” approach, but simply following a ton of accounts is like going to a driving range blindfolded.

4. You dedicate all of your personal accounts to advertising

There is nothing worse than connecting with a long lost friend on Facebook only to find out he or she does nothing but promotote their “LinkeIn Class” or newest service, blog post etc… I personally will share blogs on my personal sites when I feel like it will help those I’m connected to, but the difference is that those posts take up 5% of my total engagement. Try to keep the promotion on your fanpage and business dedicated accounts. That’s where people are wanting to see this content.

5. Your strategy is to “wing it”

Basically you have no strategy which leaves you scattered and looking out of control. Focus is key even in Social Media.

6. You’re too afraid to be different

Social Media isn’t a one size fits all which means those brands that can be different and are willing to step outside the norm are more likely to be seen than those that do the same as others. Give people a reason to want to connect with you

7. The message is never different

You constantly post the same message to all of your platforms at the same time giving people no reason to follow and connect with your brand on multiple platforms.

8. You choose automation over real time engagement

Sure, automation is quick and easy, but sometimes just because there’s an easier way it doesn’t mean it’s the best. Schedule posts, but leave the automation to the spammers and bots.

9. You wait

A new platform is signing up beta testers and you choose to wait to see how others feel about it before trying. Brands that get in before others tend to kick ass on new platforms.

10. You gauge your success by how many followers you have and what your Klout score might be

Your so caught up on scores and numbers that you forget that the numbers are actual real people. Numbers mean nothing when you have no idea where you’re going with your campaign.

11. You gave up to soon

This is probably the worst thing any business can do. Just because you aren’t seeing the results you were hoping for after few months doesn’t mean that you have wasted time or that there’s no place for your business Online; it simply means you need to strategize something new.

When all else fails try consulting a Social Media Strategist to assist in figuring out why things aren’t working and help creatively come up with new campaign; try keeping track of your Social Analytics as well as this will show you what creates the engagement and what is being ignored

Originally Posted at KimRandall.me

2011 was a huge year for many businesses Online. Many found that simply having a presence isn’t all that is needed to have success with Social Media. It was a year or social analytics, influence and trying to figure out what all of that meant to different businesses. It was a year of success and some failure. We learned that even the largest of brands can make some really ridiculous mistakes on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube etc… In 2011 we focused on throwing the box away and began thinking like the consumer/ target audience and began seeing targeted results for not only KiMedia Strategies, but for our clients as well. We listened, tracked, monitored, engaged and saw a whole new world.

Can you imagine what the Social Web will see in 2012?

Contact KiMedia Strategies before the end of the year to get a head start on your Social Media campaign for 2012  

How many times do you see your connections sharing blog posts, videos and links to their website? If your Twitter stream looks anything like mine, your answer might be “too often”.

Too often I see people on Twitter, Facebook and even LinkedIn simply “push content” and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this my friends… THIS is not a Social Media or any kind of Internet strategy. This can most definitely be a piece to the puzzle, but this should never be the main focus.

People log onto Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and many other platforms for many reasons. A few of these reasons would be to communicate, connect and engage as well as consume content. Saying “hello” to someone on Twitter may seem silly; just as silly as perhaps sharing an image of your morning coffee, but we’re human… Humans are social creatures which is why you need to be sure to keep the majority of your focus on keeping it social. Yes, this means you. 

Did you know that 51% of Facebook users and 64% of Twitter users are more likely to buy from the brands they follow?

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