We’ve all seen them, interacted with them, and shared their content.
But have you ever wondered what makes these marketing professionals so successful?
What is it about the habits, personality, and skill of a successful social media marketer that sets them apart?
Is it their social media savvy, intellect, drive, and passion?
Or maybe their willingness to keep pushing forward, even amidst setbacks?
While social media success can feel mysterious and elusive, it’s attainable for anyone.
All you have to do it take a look at the tweets and posts of successful marketers to gain an understanding into the traits that define them.
- Hardworking
- Diligent
- Focused
- Flexible
And above all else, each one is consistent in their social media marketing efforts.
Beyond that, they’ve committed to incorporating a few basic rules of thumb. These are essential principles that guide their decisions, conversations, and strategy.
If you’re ready to put your social media into overdrive and learn from those that are succeeding every day at social media, keep reading.
I promise what I have to share isn’t rocket science, but it will make a radical difference in how you ignite, inspire, and engage your audience.
Essential Principles Every Successful Social Media Marketer Follows
Now, before we dive into the principles, lets first evaluate your own use of social media. Are you using it to:
- Make a bigger impact on your audience?
- Create lasting connections?
- Build trust?
- Generate revenue?
- Grow your business?
The opportunities are endless, but only when you know the WHY behind everything you do. That’s one big secret many social media marketers won’t reveal.
That once they slowed down, looked inside their business, and got crystal clear about the W’s of social media, everything finally came together.
Identify the W’s:
- Why you’re using social media
- What you want to achieve with social media
- When you’ll use social media
- Who you’re speaking with on social media
Because then and only then is when you can strategically build your empire with the help of social media.
Below are a few simple principles that every successful marketer knows and follows daily. And the good news? You can too!
1. Honesty is the BEST Policy
Be honest in all of your online interactions.
Whether you’re promoting a client project or tweeting a corporate partnership, always, always, always tell the truth!
If you’re upfront and clear about your intentions, you’ll never need to worry about covering your backside.
2. Treat Others with Respect
Your social media followers and fans want to know that they’re important to you.
They also want to know that you respect their opinion. While it might differ from yours, they deserve your respect.
Let them know that you value their insight, opinion and feedback.
Take the time to respond.
Successful marketers know that if you can give people what they want, they will provide you with what you need.
3. Make a Great 1st Impression…Every Time
While Gary Vaynerchuck might have the luxury of a fumbled first impression, most of us do not.
People are fickle, judgmental creatures. That means you only have one chance to make a great first impression.
Showing up on social media as unkempt, scattered and downright unprofessional is not the message you want to send.
4. Stay Present in ALL Conversations
We all have one favorite topic – us. We love to talk about our lives, dreams, goals and plans.
What we don’t like is when someone ignores or discounts what we have to say.
Stay present in your social media conversations. Ask questions and show your interest.
There’s no greater gift to give someone than your undivided attention.
5. Make Everything Relevant
Social media fans and followers want to know you get them.
They want to know that you’ve taken the time to understand who they are and share content that’s specific to their needs.
Be clear, concise and quick to solve the problems of anyone connected to you.
Your fans will thank you and your followers will cheer you for quality content that hits its mark every time.
6. Ditch the Negativity
As the saying goes, you attract more bees with honey than with vinegar.
Working on your demeanor and communication skills will go a long way to improving your results.
People will remember that you were a pleasure to interact with if you provide a ray of sunshine in their otherwise dreary day.
People are attracted to cheerful people. Be that person.
7. Enthusiastically Share Other People’s Content
Enthusiasm is not overrated hype; it is undeniably one of the most important tools in any marketers toolbelt — and it’s FREE!
Pair that enthusiasm with the power of giving and you have a win-win scenario.
Take a cue from successful social media marketers and enthusiastically share other people’s content.
8. Stay Focused
As social media continues to evolve at a lightning pace, it’s easy to let goals get derailed.
Don’t let the latest and greatest pull your focus away from why you’re using social media in the first place.
Know what you’re looking to achieve and stay the course, no matter what.
9. Create a Transparent Brand
Fans and followers are equipped with a built in “BS” meter. If they sense something isn’t quite right, you’ll run into one problem after another.
Trust is built over time and through actions as well as words.
Proving that you are trustworthy and reliable through a transparent and open brand is an important factor in a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship.
10. Pay it Forward
Successful social media marketers know that part of their success is due to their willingness to pay it forward.
They’ve tasted success and have no problem sharing it with others.
Whether it’s passing along a tip, words of wisdom or an introduction — take time daily to pay what you can forward.
11. Find Balance
As Ann Tran says, the key to successfully balancing a robust and happy life with daily social media activity is being smart with your priorities.
Find time to step away from the computer. For one it’s unhealthy to work non-stop. Secondly, it’s a creativity killer.
Believe me, I know.
Final Thoughts
Like many things in life, there is no one-size fits all solution to social media success.
It’s up to you to test what works and identify a formula that supports business growth.
What one thing do you feel is attributing to the social media success you’ve seen?
Do it over and over again, without fail. Then begin to add others in until you start to see traction.
Once you have momentum, the sky is the limit!
Hi Rebekah, I found this article so insightful I had to feature it on my website and share it to my brand Facebook page.
Keep it up!
Regards,
Henry
Such a refreshing article! If you’re looking for similar interest articles or would like to reach out and we can maybe do a blog article for each other, let me know!
Hi Rebekah
Another amazing article, thanks so much for sharing your inspiring words.
I especially liked the ideal of staying in the moment, I often find myself veering of to the past or future, so I appreciate the importance of being centred and here right now.
Best wishes
Mike
Hi Rebekah maam,
Thank you for this wonderful post. Honesty definitely needs to be there when you are doing something just more than promotion. Like our lives, social media also expects honesty to be an element in our relationship building policies.
Same is transparency, it gotta be there if you want your masses to trust you. 🙂
Thank you.
-Swadhin
Honesty and transparency. Those two go hand in hand with building trust Swadhin. As you said, you must have them to establish relationships. I completely agree.
Hey Rebekah! Great post.
I really liked the point about enthusiastically sharing other people’s content. There are far too many accounts that get used strictly for self-promotion… and let’s face it — those are no fun to follow! 🙂
Have a great day.
No they’re not Brent. Nobody wants to follow anyone that shouts at them all day. You have to find a balance and give people a reason to keep coming back.
Thanks for the helpful tips! http://www.rebeccakrusee.com
Hi Rebecca! Thanks for stopping by. Great name btw. 🙂
great post! I completely agree that companies need to enthusiastically share others content- it is important to not only self promote but share content that other people have fpund- that helps us all learn!
Meredith
https://socialmediabeast.com/news/
It sure does Meredith. I love learning from those I follow. There is so much quality content out there. It’s so limiting if we don’t take the time to find relevant content within our space and share it freely with our community.
Hi Rebekah,
One of my favourite quotes is: “Stay away from negative people. They have a problem for every solution”
Almost all of the successful people I know will distance themselves from negativity, especially negative thoughts. Successful people are extremely positive – the sky is the limit! If you want to be successful then surround yourself in positivity, and your followers will follow.
Thanks for a great read!
Kirsty
Footwear Studio
Great quote Kristy and I couldn’t agree more. Successful people are positive. This doesn’t mean they don’t have bad days, they just don’t allow them to keep them down.
They also know that they are the equivalent of the people they surround themselves with. It’s so important to keep the right people around. People that will always lift you higher!
Hi Rebekah
I noticed that with the exception of point 7 which would be exclusive to online social media marketers, the rest of them apply equally to offline networking and can reap rich dividends and goodwill with others who may be in a position to help us achieve our goals.
I’d venture to add that I often share content that I have personally liked via my social media accounts with like-minded professionals and try to emulate the same at network events by trying to introduce people whom I meet with others that have mutual areas of interest. Nothing beats creating goodwill.
It really doesn’t Vatsala. And that goodwill creates reciprocity, and when that happens – the benefits to both go on and on!
It certainly takes a Social Media Professional to appreciate all the efforts, talents and characteristics necessary to keep those successful social media campaigns rolling.
Thanks Always for Your Awesome Sharing of Knowledge, Rebekah!
Yes it does Sky. There’s a lot that goes into it. Those that are successful do make it look effortless.
Hey Rebekah,
Great post here. I agree with all of these points especially the transparency point. When you show your readers behind the curtain, so to speak, they start to appreciate you and trust you much more because you’re showing that you have nothing to hide.
That’s very important online. And it shows that you’re honest too.
– Andrew
Hi Rebekah,
Most of these principles can also be applied to face-to-face interactions and relationships as well.
I just attended a Monday Morning meetup group where everyone was present and respectful of each other’s opinions. Very refreshing to experience that.
Thanks for continually sharing thoughtfully written blogs.
Fern Carbonell
Commandments to swear by, no doubt about that, Rebekah!
I think it clicks for people when they shift their mentality from monologues to dialogues. It’s a simple but profound change that is TRULY where the magic begins.
Hi Rebekah,
That positive interaction is so vital and needed. It really is amazing how many companies and small business owners share thoughts or experiences online that they just shouldn’t because of the negativity. It feels good for a second and hurts you for a very long time.
I also love your thought about being relevant. I teach my clients that finding your message and becoming relevant, inspiring, compelling and interesting is the key to any kind of success in content marketing; and yes social media is a form of content marketing.
Gaining clarity around their business is the one thing most business owners skip and then wonder why they are not getting results. All the “how to” articles and strategies in the world will not help you if you’re not clear about “what business you are “really” in.”
Interesting post Rebekah! I always appreciate your insights!
Have an awesome week ahead!
~ Don Purdum