How to Successfully Build a Social Media Presence
Presented by: Michelle Hummel
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Thanks for joining me today!
Michelle HummelCEO of Web Strategy Plus offeringWeb Design, Social Media, Mobile Apps, SEO, Content, PPC + More!
Founder of Web Media University &Columbus Social Media Enthusiasts
Google Thinks Differently Now
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
• Social signals now aid in the ranking of web pages
• More likes count as a “vote” for web page quality
What’s Important Today• Quality Content• Social Engagement• Customer Reviews• Blogs that Answer FAQ’s• Social Proof
How Social Media Merges with SEO
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
• People no longer blindly trust everything they see or hear - they want “social proof”
• Using quality keywords in your blog content will attract your target audience through search
• Building a rich, vibrant networks of friends, fans and followers is now the key to success
SMO (Social Media Optimization) AKA Relationship Marketing
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
• Long-term Marketing Strategy• Powerful Word of Mouth• Qualified Traffic to your Website• Build Relationships• Build Community• Retain and Attract Followers• Sell more Services and Products• Build Credibility and Trust • Demonstrate Thought Leadership• Drive Offline Sales• Inspire Brand Advocates
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Questions to Ask Yourself
• Do you have a social media hub? • Do you drive traffic back to your website
with original blog content?• Content is critical even more now with
Google Plus• Do you share informative articles with them?• Do you give them a reason to stay, tell others
and come back frequently?
Social media has great potential to create a sense of community around your personal brand.
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Mobile Friendly Website is Critical
Mobile Devices have become bigger than PC sales
86% of adults own a Mobile phone 53% use it to access the Internet 57% of users will not recommend a business
with a poorly designed mobile site
Mobile Internet is becoming the Internet
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Mobile – A Love Story
Consumers have fallen in love with their Smartphones! Always On Pocket Computer Social Networking Shopping Navigation Camera/Video Texting And….making phone calls
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Is your Website “Social Media Friendly”?
• Fresh Content, you must be writing and posting new blogs for SEO
• Social Content, you must be providing interesting content others will enjoy and share
• Easy to share, do you provide your visitors easy ways to share, like, download and/or retweet your content?
Is your content easily shareable?
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
What is Your “Call to Action”?
You have 3 seconds to grab your prospects attention!
• Free Webinar• Free White Paper• Free Download• Free Trial• Free Consultation
What is your strongest offer to collect their email address?
Website Search Engine Audit
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
• Google Analytics• Unique Daily Visitors• Length on site• Clicks from where• Entry pages• Exit pages• Alexa.com• Google Analytics
How do you measure your website traffic?
How is your Personal Brand?
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
• What happens when you Google your name?
• Do you like what you see? • Your NAME is your brand, you need to
control this message• Potential customers and clients are
searching for you – what are they finding?• Delete duplicate accounts to prevent
confusion
Create Google Alerts to monitor your brand
Put Your Best Face Forward
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
• Make the first impression they get about you when searching the best
• Fresh blog content will help you rank higher in search engines for the content you want to be seen as an expert for
People like to connect with “people” not logos – be a person who is transparent, likeable and human
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
How To Grow Your Business With Social Media
• What is your most emotionally engaging story?
• When did you go above and beyond for a client?
• What is your best testimonial?• Do you have a story to share on how you
came to be successful? Trials and tribulations?
• People like to connect with real stories they can relate to.
People remember stories.
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
What is your Unique Brand Story?
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Content is King
• “What makes my business so interesting that people will want to talk about it and share it with their friends?”
Fact: You can’t succeed in social media if you don’t have something interesting to say
What makes you different?
• What keywords would you like to define your personal brand?
• Define the unique skills you bring to the table
• What makes your approach different?
Be sure to use these keywords frequently in your Content Strategy
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Find Your Audience
Decide what social networks to engage with
Facebook – B2C LinkedIn – B2B Pinterest – B2B & B2C Twitter – B2B & B2C YouTube – B2B & B2C Google Plus – B2B & B2C Instagram – B2B & B2C Niche Communities – Google Forums
• Over 62% of business owners report having gained new clients from LinkedIn
• After a phone call or meeting with a new client or prospect find them on LinkedIn and connect – let them know you are going to send a request;
Collect business cards at networking events and connect on LinkedIn right away
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Connect with Prospects and Clients, Especially on LinkedIn
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Define Your Goals
Increase blog subscribers More likes, fans and followers Improve search engine rankings Increase blog post comments Reach a new audience Increase referrals Turn fans into brand advocates Increase website traffic Increase sales Increase reviews
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Social Engagement
You want people to share things You want people be brand advocates You want people to visit frequently You want people to refer friends You want people to buy services
“Engaged customers and prospects are far more likely to do some or all of the above.”
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Create an Editorial Social Media Content Calendar
Develop a blog content writing schedule Create Daily, Monthly or Weekly Posting Themes Plan Ahead to Promote Events Decide what days and at what time you will post Plug into excel to track easily Don’t forget to include Holidays and post about
current events
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Create a Social Media Posting Strategy
SEO Blogs – 4-8 blogs per month SEO Press Releases – 2-4 per month Facebook – 1 post per day Twitter – 3-5 Tweets per day Google Plus - 1 post per day Pinterest – 2–4 pins per day Instagram – 1 post per day LinkedIn Personal Profile – 1 post per day LinkedIn Groups – 1 post per week LinkedIn Company Page – 1 post per day YouTube – 1-2 videos per month
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Post Frequently, Listen, Communicate and Respond
• Post to all your social media networks frequently – it takes 7 times for a potential client to see your content repeatedly to make a sale!
• Respond quickly to all comments• Engage by asking questions, and posing topics
for discussion• Monitor all your social media accounts• Provide content that is seasonal and timely
with current news• Customers want to know that they are helping
to shape the products you provide – give them a unique voice through your social media profiles
• Customers want to know that you’re thinking about them
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
How to Create a Successful Social Media Strategy
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Invest in a Social Media Management Dashboard
Schedule your content to post to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, Pinterest
Create Twitter Welcome message Setup Twitter Auto Tweets, Retweets, Follows and
Unfollows Create an Email Autoresponder program Create SMS text marketing program Monitor your brand across the web Reply to all your social media networks from one
dashboard
SendSocialMedia.com offers a FREE 14 day trial!
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Get Hands-On Training, Social Media Certification Program
In depth training for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus and Pinterest
Access to live monthly training sessions Social Media Case Studies Library Social Media Tools, Software and Applications
Directory Social Media Recommended Books VIP Members Forum Self-study training Instructor led hands-on training with Social Media
Certification
WebMediaUniversity.com offers a FREE 7 day trial!
7 Top Social Media Myths for Financial Advisors Debunked
Partner with a Social Media Marketing Agency
Mobile friendly, search engine optimized website Social Media design and optimization for all profiles 4-8 blogs and/or press releases Marketing strategy for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,
Google Plus, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram Email and/or SMS marketing strategy and management
Monitoring and engagement across all your social media profiles
Mobile app creation Video development Lead generation – drive qualified leads to your website
WebStrategyPlus.com offers a FREE $250 Social Media Consultation!