Ensuring you enjoy successful social media engagement in 2012 is one of the hot blogging topics at the moment, as we head towards the end of another year.

One of the best recent online articles I’ve come across on the area of social media predictions for 2012, and how to make the most of social media engagement and blogging in the New Year, came from the consistently-brilliant Brian Solis this week – in the form of this blog. It covers pretty much everything to consider for successful social media engagement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The detailed blog contained some really useful research, trends, hints and tips – but, for me at least, it was six key factors in the concluding paragraph which really stood out.

Six key factors to consider, which I’d say will be critical in determining how well you connect with the increasing number of Social Consumers online. And let’s be honest, if you’re attempting to get profitable attention to your business, products or services via social media engagement and blogging outreach, you’re going to need to commit to some kind of social media strategy.

Fail to plan, plan to fail as the saying goes.

So, these six key factors? In no particular order of importance, they are:

* Increase understanding of social media engagement

I’m still seeing alot of lack of clarity from businesses and individuals getting on board with social media for the first time. Aimless Facebook pages, broadcasting Twitter profiles and sporadic, selling company blogs abound. This is not successful social media engagement – it’s like going to a party and shouting at everybody without even listening first. Listen, learn, then engage.

* Develop a clear social media strategy

One of the key areas to remember with social media marketing is the simple fact it’s still a marketing activity – and all successful marketing utilises clear direction, defined strategic inputs and targets to list and reach. Having a few social media profiles and randomly pushing out content is not a social media strategy. Define what, when, where, and why you’re engaging on social media.

* Define social media engagement outcomes

One of the best barometers of any successful social media campaign is if targets are reached, or outcomes gained. You might, for example, want to see a 75% increase in relevant traffic being driven to your main website via social media channels from your upcoming social media engagement in 2012. How will you achieve it? What outcomes will you aim for? What defines success?

* Align social media strategy to business objectives

This key factor is critical – if you make social media and blogging activity an isolated part of your overall marketing programme for 2012, how can it be measured as a successful part of your marketing activities? This sounds like common sense, but too many businesses operate their social media and blogging activities without considering complete marketing integration.

* Demonstrate the needs of Social Consumers

This ties in with key factor number one – if you forget that you exist solely to serve your customers and clients, how do you hope to attract more to your business via social media engagement? Too many businesses broadcast on social through their own bubble – they believe their own PR. Step out of yourself before you get online, and start thinking like your ideal customer.

* Earn trust by highlighting social insight

Nothing breeds social media success like a giving, trusting, open and engaged approach. This means showing your customers, clients and business colleagues online that you actually want to listen to them, to hear their issues, to give them the opportunity to add inputs to your social media and blogging content. Forget the poorly-written flog blog, and ask yourself if it’s adding value.