Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last decade and a half, you probably know that social media is a big deal. If you have ever wondered how to do social media marketing, these sites will help you reach your largest potential audience and give you better insights on prospect behavior. The stats speak for themselves. Although most of these platforms are free to use, there are still many entrepreneurs out there who don’t utilize their golden potential.
If you’re worried that you’re not tech-savvy enough to promote a killer social media campaign, don’t be. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn are so user-friendly that even Granny from Looney Tunes could use them. And it’s okay if you don’t know where to start. Countless others are making their maiden voyage on the social media marketing journey as we speak, so you’re not alone. Happily, there is a great community of professionals out there to help you. Here are four social media marketing resources that can kickstart your platform presence:
1. Social Media Marketing Workbook (Jason McDonald)
This book covers the blueprints for marketing on each of the major social media platforms. Ph.D. Jason McDonald dedicates one chapter for each platform and discusses the essentials of its advertising structure. The resource’s easy-to-read format breaks things down into easily comprehendible terms, so you won’t feel like you’re in the dark about anything. McDonals illuminates a bright path from start to finish.
McDonald doesn’t just teach you how to do social media marketing; he teaches you how to do it well. You’ll learn how to tailor content specifically to your audience’s needs and separate yourself from marketers who are just trying to wing it. This book was last updated in June 2017, so it’s advice reflects the latest social media trends and innovations.
If you want to understand how to do social media marketing, and the mechanics of all the social media channels you’ll be sure to use, Social Media Marketing Workbook is worth a read.
2. Social Media Marketing All-in-One For Dummies (Jan Zimmerman and Deborah Ng)
This is another tremendous how-to guide in the For Dummies publication series. The all-in-one guide offers advice on all of the social media marketing basics. Although you won’t learn too much about sophisticated advertising techniques, you will learn how to approach social media from a business perspective. As it’s title suggests, the book teaches you how work from square one.
Published in May 2017, this guide covers most of the recent changes to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other main platforms. Zimmerman and Ng address everything you need to know before starting a campaign.
If you have no idea where to start with your social media strategy, Social Media Marketing All-in-One For Dummies can help you plant your feet.
3. Twitter for Skeptics: How To Build Your Twitter Opportunity Engine (Don Power)
Our own Don Power sets out to change how you think about Twitter in this concise publication. Even if you don’t know the first thing about Twitter marketing, you’ll learn how to leverage the competition through creative execution. For example, did you know tweeting about your breakfast could actually be good for business? Power teaches the power of thinking outside the box, while offering a logical and simple approach to Twitter marketing.
Although the book was published in 2013, its advice is evergreen. Part I debunks common objections and misconceptions about Twitter, so you’ll get a handle about what Twitter marketing is really about. In Part II, Power shows how you can build an electric campaign from scratch.
Give Twitter for Skeptics a read if you’d like to launch a custom Twitter campaign with confidence.
4. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World (Gary Vaynerchuk)
Understanding the principles of social media marketing is one thing. Crafting a one-of-a-kind message is another ballgame. Acclaimed marketing genius Gary Vaynerchuk explains how to pack your campaign with a punch. Hint: it’s all about storytelling. The master of contemporary marketing explains how you can use platform-specific communication techniques to plant an idea in your prospect’s mind.
This is another evergreen resource that demonstrates a strong understanding of human interaction. Vaynerchuk shows that pumping out boring social media content on a daily basis won’t help a company achieve it’s goals. In order to get people to care about your brand, you have to care about them first.
Once you get a grip on social media functionality, read Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook to create and deliver the perfect message across each channel.
Bonus Social Media Marketing Resource: 500 Social Media Marketing Tips (Andrew Macarthy)
I didn’t count this one as a main resource because it doesn’t go quite as in-depth about marketing basics as the other books on this list do. However, it provides a wealth of useful tips to consider as you cruise down the social media road. The book covers a ton of platforms, so you’ll get advice that covers the broad spectrum of social marketing.
When your campaign is in a rut, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips can give you the spark you need to get moving.
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