Are you ready for social media?
Everywhere you turn, people are talking about Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites as if they’re the greatest thing since grooves on a club face, if not the total solution for any company’s marketing needs. In truth, their influence is growing, but social media sites are not the be-all, end-all of marketing. Instead, they should take their rightful place as a proportionate part of your marketing strategy, to enhance the existing building blocks of your approach.
To reap the benefits of social media, make sure you have these essential building blocks in place:
A STRONG WEB SITE. A quality Web site that reflects the vibe of your course, shares your story, and gives visitors a way to make a purchase is the foundation of any online effort, be it traditional or social media. All the tweets and Facebook posts in the world won’t mean much if that interest can’t be converted into a sale.
A GROWING EMAIL LIST. Most social media sites are based on email addresses, allowing you to expand your list of friends or followers by using that key identifier. That puts the pressure on you to capture at least ten email addresses a day so that you can keep cultivating a “multi-touch” relationship with your customers and occasional visitors. However, the payoff of more rounds, merchandise and beverages sold makes it well worth the effort.
COMPELLING CONTENT. Other than playing the game or buying new equipment, golfers seem to love nothing more than learning more about the game. So, be on the lookout for brief articles (including those offered by CourseTrends) that offer swing tips, equipment reviews and share them through your social media channels. Be sure to include the link back to your site so they can buy a certificate for personal lessons or book a tee time to practice what they’ve learned.
CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION. Social media is different from most marketing in that it’s a two-way conversation. If a customer responds to an email, it ends up in your inbox. If they comment on a Facebook post, it’s out there for the whole world to see, so make sure someone you trust is closely monitoring your site. That way you can respond quickly to opportunity, be it a thank you for a compliment or an apology for a disappointing experience. In the world of social media, nothing conveys indifference like an unanswered post or tweet, so stay on top of your news feed.
If you would like help integrating social media into your online presence, visit www.CourseTrends.com or email us at request@coursetrends.com to arrange for a review of your resources and a free consultation. Social media is here to stay and we can help you leverage it to your advantage. |