The Ineffective Social Media Marketing Strategy

Thousands of businesses around the world are discovering the marketing potential that social media networks have to offer. Most social media networks are completely free to use, and businesses can create accounts and start marketing products and services in no time. When a business owner first discovers the power of social media in marketing a product or service, the discovery usually occurs because the business owner sees the efforts of a competitor. "If they can do it, then so can I," may be the predominant thought process. However, these business owners who hastily create social media accounts, are quickly discovering that the marketing process is much more complicated than originally thought.

How to Know if Your Strategy is Flawed

For attorneys and legal firms, social media marketing is complicated and often ineffective. An ineffective social media strategy is usually a strategy that is filled with flaws and mistakes. How can you tell, though, if your social media marketing strategy is flawed? There are three major mistakes that attorneys make with social media marketing. Avoiding these three mistakes will most likely reveal an immediate increase in the effectiveness of your social media presence.

Your Content is Sales-Oriented

The biggest mistake made in social media marketing is an overemphasis on sales-oriented content. If you treat social media like your own personal billboard, and all you ever post is advertisements that encourage consumers to spend money, you aren't going to find a lot of marketing success. People are not logging on to social media to hear sales pitches. They are logging on to social media networks to hear worthwhile, interesting, and engaging content. By posting too much sales-oriented content, you may actually be driving consumers away from your business and brand.

Instead, focus on posting content that offers free advice to potential clients. Share your industry knowledge with no strings attached. You aren't going to make legal experts overnight, so you can stop worrying about eliminating the need for your services. What's more likely to happen? Consumers will begin to trust your company and your experience. When they need legal advice, they'll turn to you.

Your Posts are Infrequent

Another common social media marketing mistake is the failure to post frequently. Unless you are updating social media content several times each week, consumers will not have the opportunity to learn that your social media presence is a reputable and reliable source of high quality information. Keep posting and keep sharing, and you'll quickly gain followers who will boost your reputation.

Your Interactions are Stiff and Impersonal

If your social media marketing efforts still seem to be falling on deaf ears, it may be time to loosen up a little bit and be a little more personal. This is often difficult for attorneys who want to appear professional and knowledgeable at all times. Social media, however, is a place where barriers are shattered and real communication takes place. By making yourself appear slightly vulnerable and sharing personal information, heartwarming stories, and casual content, you will attract the attention of more social media users.