Listening to your audience on social media
Listening on social media is one of your critical first steps when creating your blog and business social media strategy.
Why is social listening critical to your business, and what is it?
By studying the conversations and trends surrounding your business and market, you can optimize your marketing to help grow your reach and interest in your product. All to help you reach your business and income goals!
- If you’ve noticed a dip in your online sales, tweaking your marketing strategies might be what you want to do to help your business grow.
- Social media is a choice that has proven successful for many businesses. But when the topic of social selling is raised, many business owners feel they need help.
So, where and how do you begin updating your business’s social media?
Businesses can start by creating and updating their social selling strategy.
A strategy may look like this:
#1: Know your market – intimately.
- To start with, it is paying attention to your strategies of how attentive you are in addressing your audience’s needs.
- Look at successful competitors. What can you model that would help your own business and attraction power?
#2 Businesses online need to identify the appropriate social media sites and communities where their ideal clients congregate and then learn what they can say and do to attract and help them.
- Listening on social media involves monitoring conversations about your industry on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, etc. It lets you gain insights into what people say about your offering. They can give you ideas of what topics and trends are relevant to your target audience and what your competitors are doing to attract similar audiences. With this information, you can craft more effective and targeted content and campaigns to help boost your brand’s visibility and reach on social media platforms.
Listening on social media can show your audience that you care and how to help them.
- As you develop an authentic and powerful online style, you’ll understand more about what your audience wants.
- You’ll learn what makes that desirable to your ideal audience and what type of language to use that will attract.
That’s what listening on social media can do for your online success.
You can join in on the conversations with your target audience, even while listening on social media.
- Use that opportunity to help you gain audience intelligence in your everyday online activities.
People who are a part of your community, and those who don’t even know you yet, want your ideas, information, and suggestions, and they want you to hear them!
You’ll need to get into the habit of paying attention to more than what they say as part of your listening on social media.
- Take a look at your analytics and insights regularly to understand how they pay attention to you.
- Include yourself in their conversations and become likable and involved. That’s engaging!
When you’re listening on social media and responding, you can use it as a strategic tool for blogging, list building, repurposing, promotions, and competitive shrewdness.
Social media makes monitoring any of your platforms easy, enabling you to quickly see the results of your efforts. You’ll find out if your efforts are working, and you can identify why they might not be working and improve your work.
- Social listening is watching conversations on digital platforms to help you understand your ideal client’s preferences and what they say about brands and other online businesses.
- Social listening is the process you can use to help analyze conversations and trends around your brand and your industry and use those insights to improve your marketing.
How does this help you?
Quality content is essential to social listening. You’ll see what your audience is reacting to and find out what is relevant to them.
- Then you can constantly provide that relevant content, and more people will interact with and visit your site and want to read more about what you offer.
Expand your niche knowledge.
Your clients can learn more about you and your offers through the power of your social media sites. Social listening is how they know more about and from you.
- Social listening tools gather information about your brand and that of your competitors, which is publicly available online.
- Depending on the needs of your business, you can collect data over a predetermined period or in real-time.
- Also, you have the option to limit mentions to a specific set of languages or nations.
To determine what topics your clients most frequently discuss and mention about your products and services or brand online (for example, packaging, price, and availability). The research focuses on several keywords or phrases (like the name of your business or product). Comments are looked at to see the writer’s feelings and are then categorized as good, bad, or neutral based on tone and other variables.
How do you conduct social listening?
Your Social Listening Strategy
- Keep track of every mention of your brand in real-time and from a single location.
- Obtain the most accurate and recent input.
- Help identify Internet discussions that mention your brand.
- Keep tabs on the number of online interactions and sentiment shifts.
Design Your Product
Social listening helps you learn what your niche thinks of your products. Helping you keep track of both positive and negative comments to find any areas that need some work—allowing you to concentrate more on your target market’s needs and pain points, which can result in a better product.
What are some of the social listening tools you can use to enhance your own experiences for listening on Social Media?
Check out these tools:
1) Hootsuite is one of the tools you need to manage your social networks from one place.
2) Tweetdeck – A Twitter tool for real-time tracking, organizing and engagement.
3) TWEETREACH – Find out how far your tweets traveled? You can also find out who your most influential followers are.
4) Social Mention – Social Mention monitors over one hundred social media sites. It may be one of the best free tools for listening on social media.
5) Mention –
6) Google Alerts – You can enter the keywords that you have, and you can see who is talking about you!
It’s an ongoing process that you can develop into a top priority.
If you’re not monitoring your social media presence, you will be unaware of:
• What your competitors are doing.
• What people are saying about you and your brand.
• Whether you are doing a good job and…
• Whether you are improving your presence or it’s getting worse.
Because success means consistency and reliability. Which means you have to be visible and responsive.
One of the most important sites can be your Facebook business page!
Learn How to Maximize Your Facebook Followers and Build Your Email List in 30 min or less a day…
“I have heard Donna speak before as well as know many of her clients. I hear only great things about what Donna teaches and that everyone gets more than what they ask for. Sandy Evers. ourgoldenparachute.com
Certified Business Coach, Intuitive Strategist ~ As a Social Media Manager and Coach, I do the work for you and/or train corporations and small businesses how to set up their blog and a Social Media Marketing Plan around their blog/website as their business hub. As a Social Media Marketing Expert, I teach Relationship Marketing and Social Media Mastery, consulting and speaking services for corporate, business owners, and conscious entrepreneurs around the globe!
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It can be hard to track mentions. These are all helpful tools.
Heather D. (@GirlGoneMom) recently posted..Filling nutritional gaps
Thank you Heather – Look forward to hearing your favorites end up being.
I never really thought about it. i always just figured if people like what I have to say they like it and if not, oh well.
Well, that’s true in some ways Robin – adding to that is once you know what they like, you can give them more. 🙂
What great tips on listening. Love the perspective that it’s just as important to listen as it is to participate. Social media isn’t all me, me, me! Excellent post.
Minette recently posted..Three Steps to a Winning Game
Super fun that you see that, Minette – it’s like when we go out networking offline – so many people are about ‘me, me, me’. It’s not all about me! lol
This is such a great post. We in the social media biz have to stay out there. These are great tips for maximizing our visibility. Thanks!
Krystal recently posted..10 Ways to Save Money at Old Navy
You are welcome, Krystal – yep this is continuing our visibility!
Hi Donna 🙂
Fantastic post! Packed with tons of valuable resources to help you “listen” to your audience on social media! Will be checking out a few of these…..thank you my friend for always providing valuable information that ANYONE can implement right away 🙂
I will be sharing this as always 🙂
Big Hugs!!!
Joan Harrington recently posted..The #1 Strategy For Inbound Marketing
Thanks so much, Joan! Always glad to see you hear and know that you value and share my work! Big hugs back at ya!
These all seem to be very useful tools which I should be taking advantage of but which at the current time I am not. Off to do some research I go! Thank you!
Michele recently posted..$50 Amazon/PP-WW-Book Spotlight-Jeremy’s Promise-A.R. Talley-Ends 2/15
Thanks, Michele – I hope to hear what you found and implemented 🙂
I’ve used Google Alerts for a long time and find it indispensable. And it’s free – can’t beat that!
Scott recently posted..Highlights: ChiTAG 2014 (Carma Games)
That’s great to hear, Scott – would love to hear some of you ‘alert’ you use for your blogging 🙂
Good post with lots of good resources to help you with social media. Thanks
Maureen @ A Debt Free Stress Free Life recently posted..3 Ways To Save Money You May Have Overlooked
Nice to hear that, Maureen – thanks so much for your comment 🙂
Thanks for all the info. Lots of things for me to try to save and remember as I slowly start up my blog. There is so much more than just the writing involved. Great post
Snarky Momma With (@SnarkyMommaWith) recently posted..RSVP-Yes? You Better Mean It!
How fun to hear that you are starting your blog – yep more than just writing it is involved! 🙂
Listening and engaging with your fans/following/audience is a huge piece of online marketing.
It’s not just about posting but about engaging. The more engagement, the better the relationship.. the more possibility of them buying products or services.
Really enjoyed your blog post and looking forward to coming back! Follow over from UBC. 🙂
Katrina recently posted..Difference Between Niche and Avatar
Thank you so much, Katrina! So glad you found me at UBC and looking forward to seeing you here often! 🙂
I do use hootsuite, but not any of the others, I’m going to have to have a play with them as I need to get my social media ‘life’ sorted a little more.
Sarah Bailey recently posted..10 strange things humans do
Great point, Sarah – these tools do help sort out our work better! Thank you 🙂
those are such great tips! I’m pinning! Thanks.
Caroline recently posted..Easy Valentine’s Day 3 Course Meal Recipes
Thank you, Caroline – love hearing that! 🙂
These are all really great tools that can help a blogger engage more with their audience! Hootsuite has been my favorite so far, but I should get more involved with the rest!
Theresa recently posted..Hot Chocolate Lovers Rejoice For Tootsie Roll Flavored Hot Cocoa! #TootsieRollHotCocoa
I know, right, Theresa – I use a few of these tools and others – so much fun to get organized and more on target in promoting our work.
I use HootSuite to help manage my social media. It certainly makes it a lot easier for me!
So right Pam – thank you 🙂
It’s so hard to keep up with all of the social media outlets. I truly find it overwhelming sometimes. I hope I’m not the only one.
Carmen Perez (listen2mama) recently posted..Threefold Cafe
Nope you are not the only one, Carmen – just pick one and see if you like it and move to an additional one is what I do 🙂
Consolidating your social media makes it so much easier to look through. I still have issues navigating Facebook sometimes.
Liz Mays recently posted..Get Well Wishes: How To Make a Gift Basket of Comfort That Warms Hearts
I do get that, Liz – my issue was Twitter, now it’s so much quicker!
Great information. I will check back on this and make sure I am using these tools.
connie recently posted..FRUGAL IN ’15 – Budget Time and Money in 2015
Super cool, Connie!
That is such a great post. There are so many things to know!
Amber NElson recently posted..21 Fun Valentine’s Gifts for Friends and Family
Thanks, Amber – I live to hear that as a blogger!
So much great information here. I definitely have to use some of these tools better.
Lois Alter Mark recently posted..win a jord wood watch!
Thanks, Lois – It seems we all do – but, routines do help – one step at a time, right ?
These are great services. I have used them all at some point during my outreach on social media.
Stefany recently posted..4 reasons you should change your car’s oil
Great to hear, Stefany – what’s your favorite? 🙂
I didn’t know about several of these services, good to know. I agree that it is important to listen on social media to engage others for connections.
Also Donna, I dont know if you are aware, but the link you have for Social Mention for #4 doesn’t go to Social Mention. Instead it is linked to Social Report and it is’t free. The link for Social Mentions is http://www.socialmention.com/
Michel Snook recently posted..Is Affiliate Marketing Automation a Good Idea?
Yep – Michel – it’s the same thing Social Mention and Social Report – thank you for your thoughtfulness 🙂
This post is extremely helpful. Hoots unite is the only one I’ve used before.
Thank you Michelle – good to hear – and glad you found this helpful – there’s a lot of info we all need always
I suck at engaging to my audience (thanks to work). I gotta improve on that this year 🙂
Annie recently posted..10 Places to Visit in San Francisco
Well, Annie – you’re not alone – I also slip so much – I do well in one area and then skip for awhile in another – and other times it’s all smooth…
Social media is really hard to get in the beginning, especially if you’re new to it; but once you learn it then all is good!
celebbabylaundry recently posted..Fergie Opens Up About Marriage & Family Life
Thanks for your comment 🙂 It’s appreciated
I’m always looking to advance my social media knowledge. There’s so many resources available.
Lesley recently posted..ShareASale Commissions Paid January 2015 (December 2014 Earnings)
Same here, Lesley – we do need to keep updated and implementing and, well there’s a lot to learn and put into a routine. Step by Step – 🙂
I almost used Hootsuite when I went on vacation. It came highly recommended from a blogger I trusted. I might use it yet…
Yep – been using Hootsuite for a few years – I need more consistency myself! Thank you, Rosey.
I’s incredible how the ‘cloud’ is developing. I had no idea there were so many sites set up for you to check the impact of what you write online. I use Hootsuite, but have neglected the others.
Francene Stanley recently posted..He who rides the tiger is afraid to dismount.
Thank you for your comment, Francene – I have known about several, but a bit lazy in setting up more than a few. 🙂
I know, right Francene! I use a few here and more that I didn’t list – there are some I want to get more involved with also 🙂
Good point and great tips. I need o up my social media game. I do love Hootsuite though 🙂
Her Sojourner – it is continuous – listening, engaging, promoting and using helpful sites that let us do more and do it easier. 🙂
I use HootSuite, but I am sure don’t utilize it like I should. I also use Google Alerts, but those are mostly set up for my freelance news articles that I write from time to time.
Chrystal M. recently posted..That Time I Bought a $1800 iMac
This is something that I have needed. This will be a huge help to me it’s loaded with so much information. I pinned it to my Blogging tips board.
Rena McDaniel recently posted..5 PLACES TO VISIT IN SAN FRANCISCO!
Very nice, Rena – and thank you so much – glad to be of help 🙂
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I love any kind of program that helps me keep track of my social media reach. Hootsuite is my favorite, it makes it so easy to control my social media channels!
Me too, Rachelle – it’s getting it organized and systematized that helps so much
I have heard about Hootsuite but have yet to really try it only because I am always up. I hardly ever sleep and so at any time, while I am up, I can post. But one day it might be helpful when I am unable to do it myself. Some of the other tools are helpful. Might try to Twitter reach one. That sounds interesting.
I think it’s hard to track mentions. I used to get so much traffic off of my Facebook page and now it’s almost none. They have made it where you can’t even get in the feeds without paying. It makes me so upset.
My Instagram is doing OK and I need to work on my Twitter the most.
It is a struggle – but, I am still getting leads from Facebook over Twitter – and starting to work more on Instagram.
Thanks, Valerie for your note!
Great tips! I didn’t know about any of these tracking applications. I don’t use anything other than Facebook, but this is all still good information to know.
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