January, the time of the year when we make our new resolutions and start planning for the future. In 2013, we saw a lot of big changes in the world of social, but what’s in store next?
This year, we wanted to know what the top priorities were for social media practitioners heading into 2014. We received a lot of great responses across our HootSuite Facebook, Google+ and Twitter accounts.
Here are the four most popular answers:
1. Master Social Media For Business
As businesses continue to integrate social media into the organization, social media education is going to become increasingly more vital as a way to master social media strategy and skill.
Twitter, Facebook and Google+ have become primary channels for customer service, sales, marketing and inter-organizational communication. In 2014 we can expect companies to invest in a more dynamic understanding of social media tools and how they can help drive businesses goals.
@hootsuite to encourage as many colleagues as possible to use Twitter daily, and to support them as much as I can…
— Lionel Sola (@Lionelsola) December 13, 2013
2. Engage, Engage, Engage
Now that brands are active on social media, they are just a tweet or post away from their consumers. As a result, customers now expect a nearly instantaneous response to inquiries and complaints.
For brands to successfully sustain their online communities, they need to up the anti on engagement. This means hiring more community managers to listen to the conversations happening and jump in. In 2014 it’s not just how you resolve the negative experiences, but how you celebrate the positive ones too.
3. Learn How to Use Google
When you create a Google Plus page, you create new business opportunities across all of Google’s products. From bringing you closer to the top in Google searches, to having a Google map with directions to your store appear when someone types in your brand name, these are benefits you won’t want to miss out on.
Find out more about Google+ for business and why your brand should be on it.
4. Get Serious About Blogging
Blogging is not only a powerful tool to drive traffic to your company website, but increase your SEO and position your brand as an industry leader.
In 2014, we can expect more brands to develop their company blogs away from just product updates to an effective customer service tool and content marketing platform.
What are your 2014 social media resolutions? Comment below.
In 2014, put the power of social media to work for you. Try HootSuite Pro, free for 30 days.