7 reasons why a blog is vital to your social media strategy

Many business problem with social media is that there is no clear-cut strategy. As a 'new' medium many businesses overlook the importance in planning and strategizing how to make best use of social platforms.

By Megan Bernstein

5 Jun 2013

Despite many big businesses approach - appointing the young intern if the office to manage your social media strategy - this isn't really the best route to go, and a lot more effort needs to go into what you say, how you say it and even where it's said.

1. Social media falls flat if you don't have anything to say

Social media is all about creating, encouraging and facilitating conversation. But if you don't have a topic, to talk about it's pretty tricky to get chatting.

2. Search is important

Besides creating content having a blog is a great way to boost your SEO, SMO as well as SMI. Creating fresh relevant content, around topics applicable to your business helps increase your search rankings, as well as positions you as an authority in your industry.

3. Know who you are competing against

Your competitors in the online space are not always the same as those in 'real life'.

4. The link to social

Creating content is a create way to establish yourself as a thought leader and respected authority in your industry, but how do link this with your social media channels?
Your blog can't stand alone, as it's unlikely to drive traffic to your site or generate leads by itself. Without a strong comprehensive social media strategy in place, it's likely to fall flat and become just another blog in cyberspace.

5. Make the connection

But that's all one-sided. Unless you give your audience the opportunity to engage with you, and your content, you are not being social. You also need to choose how you distribute your connect and chose social platforms that re best suited.

6. Like any good conversation you can't just talk about yourself

It's important to ensure that the focus isn't only always on you brand. You then need to start asking questions, relevant to the topics you are talking about, as well as connecting with other people, sites or groups talking about the same or similar things.

7. Bring them home

Besides stimulating conversations and interactions on social platforms your blog's real aim is to bring these people back to your website (your blog should be linked) so as to engage on a deeper level with your company.

It's important to make sure that all these opportunities to engage and various call-to-action contact points, are loud, proud and clearly marked on your website.

Read the full story on www.memeburn.com.