Tips and best practices for social media success ... Here are the top social media sites, along with some best practices
Go social like a pro Tips and best practices for social media success
Seize the social media opportunity You can’t afford not to be on social media. Why? Because it helps you: with clients, prospects and colleagues locally – and around the globe.
Connect
Build
a digital footprint.
Broaden
your personal and professional network 24/7.
In a nutshell, social media puts the world at your fingertips and makes you more accessible. Like most of us, your time is valuable – and limited. You want to be seen, heard and found, and you don’t want to spend a lot to make that a reality. Going social puts you in the driver’s seat.
How do I go social? It’s easy – just follow these steps:
Post meaningful content often Principal® makes it
Define your objectives. What do you want to accomplish?
easy by providing
Identify who you want to connect with. What does your network need and how do you talk with them?
like our social media
Determine what you want to say and how to say it. When can you reach the most people, and what do they want to hear? Offer next steps. Get value from your outreach by making it easy to connect. Don’t forget to include a call to action, like “Want to learn more? Contact me today!”
pre-approved content – bank (DI9694). When posting content, make sure you follow your company’s guidelines for use of social media.
Measure your success. Did you reach your objectives, and were you seen or heard when you needed to be?
80%
of U.S. adults ages 30-49 use at least one type of social media.1 1
http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheet/social-media/ as of November 6, 2016.
Which social media platforms should I consider? There are plenty of places to connect online, but they’re not all created equal, and they don’t all serve the same purpose. Here are the top social media sites, along with some best practices Dos and Don’ts:
Facebook is the premier general-interest social networking site. Do:
Don’t:
Create a robust business account profile – including a photo is a must.
Only talk about yourself or your product. Make your page more than just about sales.
Be human – appeal to people’s emotions.
Abandon your page or let it go stale.
Keep posts relevant and engaging.
Be afraid to be unique. Share photos and videos to be remembered and for extra engagement.
LinkedIn is all about networking and making professional connections. You can post various types of content – text, hyperlinks, photos or video. And it’s a great way to share industry insights and connect with colleagues. Do:
Don’t:
Share business-related information.
Duplicate your resume.
Use key terms in your profile.
Forget to keep your contact information current.
Connect with others in your area and your industry.
Neglect to contact warm leads, meaning people who look at your profile.
Twitter is a fast-paced, quick-hit site used to build a following and make personal connections. You can share information through brief text, hyperlinks, photos or videos. It’s a great way to post real-time information and events, but make sure to keep them relevant and compliance approved.
Do:
Don’t:
Be creative. After all, you only get 140 characters.
Skip the proofreading. Using poor grammar or spelling is a quick way to lose credibility.
Make bold, memorable statements that people will notice.
Forget your followers and their concerns.
What else should I know? Here are some extra take-aways that can be used across all social media outlets: • Stay true to your image and story – your personal brand. • For every post you make, engage with others twice as often. • Take advantage of trends or holidays in your content or posts. • It’s important to be consistent and remain present, but it doesn’t have to take lots of time – only 30 minutes a week. Or use tools like Hootsuite to automate posts.
You’re almost there. Start growing your network today.
principal.com Principal, Principal and symbol design and Principal Financial Group are trademarks and service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group. For producer information only. Not for use with consumers or the public. Financial professionals who are appointed with Principal must follow corporate guidelines for social media use. Please remember to adhere to your company’s policy for social media. JJ2182-01 | 6/2017 | ©2017 Principal Financial Services, Inc.
