Twenty-four years in business: that’s a lot of morning coffees, emails, deadlines and to-do lists. Suffice it to say, we’ve enjoyed the challenges and rewards of working here, and with all the fine folks who have made this SDA Creative over the years. And yes, there’s been a lot of great sunsets, too.
We’ve seen a lot of changes through the years in marketing and advertising. Back in 1995, when we first hung out the “Welcome to SDA” sign, computers were relatively new on the graphic design scene. And it wasn’t that long ago that companies resisted our advice to add a website to their business materials. These days everyone agrees that a professionally-designed and produced site that is branded, scalable and works across all devices is a must. Like this site we produced for Coastal Blue.
Last January we talked about marketing trends, and mobile access was at the top of the list. More and more people were (and are) mobile-centric: searching for products from their phones instead of a laptop or desktop, communicating via texts or emails, and definitely purchasing products straight from their phones.
So in 2018 it’s no surprise that we saw the greatest growth to be in social media marketing. Even if you aren’t a fan of social media you know someone who is. And the reality of marketing today is that social media is the new influencer. Your customers are taking advice and suggestions for what to purchase and where right off the social apps on their phones. Often, buyers see products in their feed, click on the company site, check out from the shopping section and buy the product without leaving the comfy chair in their family room. That whole process might take 5 minutes.
So, in honor of the New Year and fresh starts, we’re sharing four things to do to launch your company’s social media program.
Number One:
Take the plunge. Start out the New Year by establishing your social presence. Your profiles and initial posts don’t have to be flashy, but they should be attractive, intentional and convey your company message.
Number Two:
Decide which platforms you will use. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter. Each channel has a different number of users and demographics associated with their platform. According to smallbusinesstrends.com, Facebook boasts 1.6 billion active users and is used by 1 million small and medium sized businesses. This is the biggest social media network on the Internet, so why not start there? You can check out our Facebook page by typing @sdacreative in the search bar on Facebook. Another favorite of ours is Instagram. More like a photo album, this app appeals to a younger demographic and is image-driven. Check out our Instagram page here: @sdacreativeinc. And then there’s Twitter and Snapchat, LinkedIn and Pinterest, YouTube and Tumblr. Yes, it’s a long list. So remember, keeping it simple will keep it manageable for starters.
Number Three:
Be consistent. Decide how often you will post on your social pages and commit to following through. Once a week is a good start in the beginning.
Number Four:
Use good images. Like this image we shot for Good CBD. BTW, we just launched their brand-new website. Check it out!
Social media isn’t necessarily simple, but it is simply necessary for your marketing and outreach plans. If you need some help, it just so happens you’ve come to the right place. Our social media team can take the confusion and guesswork out of your social media marketing plans. Give us a call today here at SDA Creative!
Happy 2019