Is social media replacing traditional advertising methods?

In light of many advertisers who have recently announced they are reducing their traditional advertising budgets in favor of social networking strategies, I was recently asked if social media is going to replace traditional advertising. I wanted to share my response with you! It will be in two parts, so be sure to read tomorrow's post, too, for my full response!

Online Marketing Is Here to Stay
Social media is here to stay. In fact, I read a study by the Center for Media Research that found more than 50 percent of marketers will be using social media this year, and 75 percent plan to increase their social media use.

Business who choose not to adapt to this new culture into their current marketing strategies and advertising budgets will be at a disadvantage. You might not be online but your competitors probably are or will be soon!

I believe social media will become more mainstreamed for business and organizations this next year. You’ll find the companies that were once resistant to social media taking the leap and establishing their profiles. Customers and clients will rely on the information the see on these social networking sites to make purchasing decisions based on who they want to associate and do business with.

Social Media Should NOT Replace Other Marketing, but Work With It
I don’t think social media should entirely replace traditional advertising methods; rather, it should work in conjunction with and complement one’s existing advertising. Your social media profiles should reflect your company brand with colors, logos, and links to your Website. People should easily recognize you on your social media sites, and there are many ways to incorporate your company brand, but they aren’t always obvious. This is where you might want to invest in some help from social media experts, who can design your profiles with graphics and special features.

In addition to appearance, the message you communicate about yourself should be consistent as well. You can certainly do special promotions targeted only at Facebook or Twitter users, but don’t confuse your customers by presenting different images of your company through different mediums. For example, don’t appear trendy to through your tweets but conservative through your blog posts. You’ll only confuse your audience, and they may lose trust and confidence in your message. Be yourself, be genuine, and proudly display who you are at all times no matter who your audience is.

You Must Have Strategy!
I can’t reiterate enough the importance that one’s online and offline marketing strategies sync. Social networking with a plan and strategy can produce amazing results. Social networking without a plan can be a formula for disaster.

Your messages have to be consistent across the board. You can’t post messages on Facebook that emphasize your dedication to customer service and then ignore customers on Twitter who are reaching out for help from you because they have a problem.

Be sure to read the next post to learn more about social networking and the strategies you can take to make it an effective marketing tool for your business!