4 Questions to Boost Your Social Media Marketing

Effective #socialmediamarketing is crucial for companies of all sizes. In 2022, Social networking sites were estimated to reach?3.96 billion?users. These figures are still expected to grow as mobile device usage and social networks increasingly gain traction in previously underserved markets. With this fact in hand, organisations must allocate more resources to #digitalmarketing. However, this requires clarity around the firm's goals and values. Successful #digitalstrategies should be aligned with the brand's promise and delivery. Here are four questions to boost your social media marketing:

1- What are your goals?

Your social media marketing strategy should start with clear goals, ranging from testing ideas, creating awareness, and building anticipation for new products and services to boosting sales, expanding geographically, increasing #brandengagement, or generating #qualitysales #leads. Set metrics for success that align with your #marketinggoals, such as gaining "likes," sparking an #onlinedialogue around an issue, or inspiring behavior change. Here are some examples of brands in our region that implemented this strategy with success:

• 可口可乐公司 set a goal to reach 100 million fans on its Meta page by a specific date and created a campaign to incentivize fans to share content and invite their friends to like the page. The campaign was successful, and #cocacola reached its goal ahead of schedule.
• Emirates Airlines aimed to increase engagement with its social media followers by creating a series of videos showcasing its luxurious in-flight experience. The videos received high engagement and positive feedback and helped #Emirates establish itself as a leading airline on social media.

2- Which platforms should we be using?

Different social platforms appeal to different demographics, so decision-making around platforms must be rooted in an understanding of your customer's identities and preferences. Research where your target audience hangs out online. For example, younger audiences may be more effectively reached on newer platforms like TikTok or Snap for Business , while health and wellness brands emphasising aesthetics may want to focus on Instagram . Geography is also a factor, with WhatsApp popular in #UAE and Weixin/WeChat or Weibo Corporation popular in #China. Here are some examples of brands in our region that implemented this strategy with success:

• Zomato , a food delivery and restaurant discovery platform, identified that its target audience in the UAE and KSA heavily uses Instagram to discover and share food recommendations. As a result, #Zomato developed a strong presence on Instagram, sharing high-quality food photos and engaging with followers through comments and direct messages.
• Almarai - ??????? , a dairy and food company based in Saudi Arabia, recognized that #WhatsApp is a popular communication tool among its target audience. The company created a WhatsApp #chatbot to provide customers with information about its products and promotions and saw high engagement and positive #customerfeedback.

3- What is your content strategy?

Your #content should be unique, useful, and shareable. Understand what types of content, such as articles, videos, or pictures, will drive engagement with your audience. Great #contentstrategies create conversation and sharing with the brand and among other users. Take sensitivity into account when creating content. For example, a mental health firm's content strategy should encourage users to chat with the brand via private messaging options on social networking sites. Here are some examples of brands in our region that implemented this strategy with success:

• Souq.com , an #ecommerce platform in the UAE, created a viral social media campaign around its annual White Friday sale. The campaign featured humorous videos and memes and encouraged customers to share their own stories and experiences with the sale. The campaign generated high engagement and helped Souq.com increase sales during the holiday season.
• Dubai Police HQ created a series of informative and educational videos about traffic safety and posted them on social media. The videos featured creative animations and catchy slogans and helped the police department establish itself as a trusted source of information and increase #publicawareness about #trafficsafety.

4- Are you ready to talk with your audience in real-time?

Social media interactions are two-way, driven by both brands and consumers. Show that your organization listens and engages with questions, concerns, and suggestions. Companies that seize the moment can generate brand awareness and goodwill. For example, KFC provided a wedding planner to a #SouthAfrican couple who were mocked on Twitter. Other brands also chipped in to support the couple, showing them gifts and experiences. Social media allows brands to create memorable experiences by engaging with their audience in real-time. Here are some examples of brands in our region that implemented this strategy with success:

• Virgin Mobile UAE uses Twitter to engage with customers and resolve customer service issues in real-time. The company's dedicated team responds to customer tweets and direct messages and has received positive feedback for its fast and efficient customer service.
• Al Tayer Motors, a car dealership in the UAE, uses Facebook to showcase its luxury car collection and engage with potential customers. The company frequently responds to customer comments and messages and has even arranged test drives and personalized car-buying experiences through social media.

In conclusion, effective #leadership in #marketing requires various skills and strategies, including listening to and engaging with customers, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture within the team, and staying up-to-date with the latest #industrytrends and #technologies. By adopting these approaches, successful #marketingleaders have achieved their goals, built strong brands, and driven #businessgrowth.

But the marketing landscape is constantly evolving, and one of the biggest challenges facing leaders in the field today is the rise of what some have called "antisocial social media." In my next article of this series, I will delve into this topic in more detail, exploring how #socialmedia is changing and how marketing leaders can navigate this #newera to stay ahead of the curve. So stay tuned!