When someone follows me on Twitter, one of the first things I do is check to see if they have a URL link to a Website or another social profile. I do this to determine first, whether they are spammers (fake accounts almost never have URLs), and second, to find out more about the person or company.
If I can’t easily, and instantly, find out more information about a business that offers services or products that might interest me, I move on to the next profile connection. I usually don’t follow back either, or if I do, they are quickly forgotten in the stream of feeds and messages I receive daily. There’s just too much going on in this Internet-connected world to take the time to search for more information on someone who is pursuing me as a customer.
The important point: if you’re using your social media profiles to connect with potential customers, and you do not have a link to your main Website where potential clients or consumers can find more information about your company or services, you are making a huge online marketing mistake.
Every single Web asset — whether it be a social media page, a business Web site or blog — that you use to promote your professional self or your company should contain the following elements:
- Company or your professional name and title. If your name is Susan Jackson, and all your friends and family call you Suzy J, do not use the latter in your business bio. Save that for your personal Facebook profile.
- A photo of you or your company logo. Unless you’re managing a social account for a huge brand, it’s usually best to have a photo of yourself, as the world you’re networking in is social, and people relate better to another human being rather than to a logo.
- A cover photo that immediately illustrates what services you offer, or your company’s industry. You can also occasionally use this space to promote a specific product or event, but make sure it’s always up to date. The cover photo can also contain your contact information.
- Your bio, or a description of what your business offers. Make sure you use keywords.
- Contact info — either a link to a Website or a phone number. If you don’t have a Website you’re in trouble. That’s another huge online marketing mistake.
- A unique value proposition or unique selling point. It’s might be hard to fit this in along with your bio on Twitter, but try. It’s worth it to tell people why you are different than the rest.
So Take Action now, inspect all your online profiles and make sure they are fully optimized, and offer prospective customers another way to reach you, or to find out more information instantly.