Launching a product with social media is not only hard work, but also very complicated.
Introducing the product is the easy part, building a following around the product is where the fun begins.
In this article, I will outline 7 problems that, in my opinion are the most obvious yet challenging setbacks you can face when launching a product on Social Media networks like Twitter, which has 190 million users, Facebook that has 580 Million users and with YouTube at 2 Billion video views every day.
Not being prepared is preparing to fail!!! 1.
The first problem that a lot of companies face when launching a product with social media is that they lack of a following behind their brand.
In order for your product to be successful, you need to reach out to your potential customers and build TRUST! Using social networks like Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and Facebook is the key to reaching out to your followers and achieving the success you and your product deserve.
Using a free tool like Hootsuite will help you save time and automate your communication.
2.
Another problem that you could face when launching a product with Social Media is that your product can easily be overlooked.
In a competitive market you need to make sure you communicate your product at the right time of day, to maximise your reach.
Trendistic will give you the exact time of day people are talking about keywords on Twitter.
3.
The third problem that many companies deal with is that they over estimate results.
This can be the sole reason as to why your product fails.
If you are dishonest with your clientele then they will not trust you or your product therefore, your products sales will be damaged and, in a community like Social Media, news gets around faster than you think.
So know your analytics by using Google & Hootsuite to track and measure your engagement.
4.
When dealing with Social Media, you need to make sure that you avoid the danger of losing faith in your own product.
You must be 100% behind your product before you launch it into the competitive world of Social Media, otherwise it will be too late to make adjustments and the money and time that was put into your product would have been lost.
By having an emotional connection to your products, will help you build your online relationships.
5.
The fifth mistake made when launching a product with Social Media is that you overlook your overall marketing plan and objectives.
It is crucial that you incorporate Social Media into your company plan and objectives; otherwise you will lose your way and may not be able to get back on track with your product.
They key here is to be "Consistent" with your campaign through email, PR, off-line marketing, on-line marketing, direct mailings and using Digital to be the voice for your brand.
6.
In a trade like Social Media, you need to make sure that your product is appealing to your target market.
If you do not get good feedback from your target market then you know that your product won't sell to its full potential.
Running a Poll or Competition inside Facebook, is a fantastic way to test the market before you release your product.
7.
The last mistake that many companies make when launching a product with social media is that they have not done background research.
By saying background research I mean knowing your market, products similar to yours and finding where you and your product fit it.
If you fail to complete a background research you may find introducing your product to Social Media will be an impossible task.
A free online tool like SocialMention will help you with this.
Warren Knight is a Social Media Marketing specialist who provides expert advice to online businesses.
His professional knowledge of the world of commerce helps with the launch and marketing of successful products.