From the Desk of...

Using social media marketing is important, but it can’t do the job alone. That is why we advocate blending it with traditional marketing methods. A strategic marketing mix can help boost ROI and grow a brand with new audiences that far exceed expectations. For example, a well placed television or newspaper ad touting your company’s product is still an excellent way to reach target audience members. Taking it a step further, you can also mention a special discount for those who follow the company on Twitter. Now audience members can find and follow you on Twitter to qualify for the discount. You can “tweet” about the promotion, and your followers can “retweet” to their followers, who might not be familiar with your product. Your target audience just grew exponentially from a simple ad and online post. In the future you can continue tweeting about news and special promotions to keep your Twitter followers’ interest.

It’s a simple way to get your message out there. Both marketing strategies working together will give you a far greater ROI than one strategy alone. There are always exceptions – sometimes one or the other is a better fit, especially when budget is a consideration. Make choices based on which tactics will give you the best ROI. How will you know this? As you monitor results from earlier campaigns, you will notice what works best for your particular audience and industry.

Social media is free, so it is worth experimenting with. Just don’t forget the importance of using traditional marketing methods as well. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised with your results.