We all know how easy it is to sink a lot of money into advertising.
Cost continues to play a big part in how we market our businesses today, especially when it comes to social media.
While we may hope to avoid spending a dime on online marketing, it is getting harder to avoid.
But there are some things that you can do to help make the most of every cent you put into your social media marketing.
If you have to spend some money to get your brand noticed on social networks, then you need to make sure that it is worth it.
Spending a few hundred dollars on Facebook ads will not ensure that you will see the results you want.
What you need to do to see results is make a few changes to the way you are doing things with your advertising.
Here is what those are: Do not use stock images How many times have you seen the same face used in very different advertising campaigns? Thanks to the availability of stock images around the Web, it is easy for a business to simply download a picture that "fits" with the ad and stick it on there.
Today's consumer isn't swayed by those ads.
They want to see real photos.
So, instead of scrolling through a stock photo album, grab a camera (or seek a professional) and get some custom shots yourself.
Even better, invite your customers to submit their own pictures of them using your products to feature in your social media ads.
That level of reality will affect your audience much more than the standard headshot of a smiling woman.
Know what your goals are The best way to stay on track is to know exactly what you are aiming for when you start.
Do you want to boost your blog readership? Get more people to download your app? Find more newsletter subscribers? Reach new customers? When you have your goal in your mind, it is easier to know how you should be wording your ads and calls-to-action.
You know what links you need to put in and where you will be sending people.
This is much more effective than just posting a link to your homepage.
Post ads on blogs If you look at some of the more popular blogs, you will notice that they offer a lot of advertising space.
The cost will depend on the blog and the amount of traffic it gets.
Placing an ad on the sidebar of a blog that is followed by your target audience can be an easy way to reach more people.
Another option is to get some sponsored posts out there.
Offer some bloggers a sample of your products in exchange for a written post about them.
It will be written from the point of view of the blogger, who will give their audience an honest review.
Test out different ad types What works for one company might not work for you.
If you haven't had any luck with a campaign, try something new.
Social media offers a lot of variations on advertising.
Try experimenting with different combinations of images and posts to see what will get the most response.
When you find a formula that works well, stick with it and mix it up from time to time and measure your results.
Advertising on social networks can be frustrating for all businesses.
What do you do to get the most out of your social media marketing?
Cost continues to play a big part in how we market our businesses today, especially when it comes to social media.
While we may hope to avoid spending a dime on online marketing, it is getting harder to avoid.
But there are some things that you can do to help make the most of every cent you put into your social media marketing.
If you have to spend some money to get your brand noticed on social networks, then you need to make sure that it is worth it.
Spending a few hundred dollars on Facebook ads will not ensure that you will see the results you want.
What you need to do to see results is make a few changes to the way you are doing things with your advertising.
Here is what those are: Do not use stock images How many times have you seen the same face used in very different advertising campaigns? Thanks to the availability of stock images around the Web, it is easy for a business to simply download a picture that "fits" with the ad and stick it on there.
Today's consumer isn't swayed by those ads.
They want to see real photos.
So, instead of scrolling through a stock photo album, grab a camera (or seek a professional) and get some custom shots yourself.
Even better, invite your customers to submit their own pictures of them using your products to feature in your social media ads.
That level of reality will affect your audience much more than the standard headshot of a smiling woman.
Know what your goals are The best way to stay on track is to know exactly what you are aiming for when you start.
Do you want to boost your blog readership? Get more people to download your app? Find more newsletter subscribers? Reach new customers? When you have your goal in your mind, it is easier to know how you should be wording your ads and calls-to-action.
You know what links you need to put in and where you will be sending people.
This is much more effective than just posting a link to your homepage.
Post ads on blogs If you look at some of the more popular blogs, you will notice that they offer a lot of advertising space.
The cost will depend on the blog and the amount of traffic it gets.
Placing an ad on the sidebar of a blog that is followed by your target audience can be an easy way to reach more people.
Another option is to get some sponsored posts out there.
Offer some bloggers a sample of your products in exchange for a written post about them.
It will be written from the point of view of the blogger, who will give their audience an honest review.
Test out different ad types What works for one company might not work for you.
If you haven't had any luck with a campaign, try something new.
Social media offers a lot of variations on advertising.
Try experimenting with different combinations of images and posts to see what will get the most response.
When you find a formula that works well, stick with it and mix it up from time to time and measure your results.
Advertising on social networks can be frustrating for all businesses.
What do you do to get the most out of your social media marketing?