How to Market for the Holidays With Social Media
While many of us may just be starting to think about the holidays for our marketing campaigns, some retailers have been busy marketing for months.
In the past, most retailers advertised through the television, radio and the Internet but times have changed.
Now, major retailers are looking into the newer channels of marketing themselves on social media through services such as Facebook and Twitter.
Regardless of your industry or the season, here are a few tips you can learn from holiday retailers who promote themselves through social media.
1.
JCPenney uses their Facebook page for both customer service and marketing.
They welcome comments and complaints on their Facebook wall, and they are quick to respond to both, which is key in today's viral world.
People are going to talk about your company online so you might as well provide the forum to better manage the conversation! JCPenney is also interactive with their customers on Facebook by posting pictures of sale items, links to fashion and style videos and creative polls.
They have over 2 million Facebook "likes" which will continue to grow as more and more of Facebook's over seven hundred million users get more comfortable interacting with their favorite brands online.
2.
Walmart, one of the most-visited retailers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, uses Twitter to announce sales and layaways, but more importantly, to communicate with their customers.
A recent tweet said, "Who watched the Sesame PBS special last night about hunger? What did you think? Photo w/ some of our muppet friends.
" This tweet clearly isn't about Walmart, but that's okay every once and a while.
People like to know that there is a human behind every tweet so not everything has to be a 140 character marketing message.
The tweet allowed Walmart to interact with their customers and vice versa, which will pay off.
So what can we learn from JCPenney and Walmart? Listen to what your customers are saying on social media websites and respond appropriately when you're marketing yourself or your company this year.
Don't be afraid to post neutral material on your Facebook or Twitter that isn't directly related to your organization or company.
Postings of fun videos, questions or polls will help you interact with your customers and get them talking in a positive way.
Have you used social media for your marketing and communications? If so, what techniques do you use to keep in touch with your customers? If not, would you consider doing so? Why or why not?
In the past, most retailers advertised through the television, radio and the Internet but times have changed.
Now, major retailers are looking into the newer channels of marketing themselves on social media through services such as Facebook and Twitter.
Regardless of your industry or the season, here are a few tips you can learn from holiday retailers who promote themselves through social media.
1.
JCPenney uses their Facebook page for both customer service and marketing.
They welcome comments and complaints on their Facebook wall, and they are quick to respond to both, which is key in today's viral world.
People are going to talk about your company online so you might as well provide the forum to better manage the conversation! JCPenney is also interactive with their customers on Facebook by posting pictures of sale items, links to fashion and style videos and creative polls.
They have over 2 million Facebook "likes" which will continue to grow as more and more of Facebook's over seven hundred million users get more comfortable interacting with their favorite brands online.
2.
Walmart, one of the most-visited retailers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, uses Twitter to announce sales and layaways, but more importantly, to communicate with their customers.
A recent tweet said, "Who watched the Sesame PBS special last night about hunger? What did you think? Photo w/ some of our muppet friends.
" This tweet clearly isn't about Walmart, but that's okay every once and a while.
People like to know that there is a human behind every tweet so not everything has to be a 140 character marketing message.
The tweet allowed Walmart to interact with their customers and vice versa, which will pay off.
So what can we learn from JCPenney and Walmart? Listen to what your customers are saying on social media websites and respond appropriately when you're marketing yourself or your company this year.
Don't be afraid to post neutral material on your Facebook or Twitter that isn't directly related to your organization or company.
Postings of fun videos, questions or polls will help you interact with your customers and get them talking in a positive way.
Have you used social media for your marketing and communications? If so, what techniques do you use to keep in touch with your customers? If not, would you consider doing so? Why or why not?
