Social Media ROI: Your Guide to Measurable Success

Hey there!

It's Zach from Custer Marketing. Today, I am drinking one of my "go tos" a  Caramel Americano from Frenchie Roast. If you are new to my blog, let me explain. Each time I sit down to write a post for you I am drinking some sort of coffee. It helps me to create the best content. I share that with you just as another way that we can connect. That being said, let's jump into a perspective that might just contradict what you know about social media. You might do a double-take at first, but hear me out because this insight could be a game-changer.

Here's the deal: true success on social media isn't encapsulated in the number of likes or followers you have. Surprised?

It's about creating authentic value that goes beyond digital applause. To create that value,  you need a strategy that's clear and focused. It should encompass well-defined goals, a deep understanding of your audience (build those customer personas I've mentioned before), and a way to gauge your impact that goes beyond just surface-level metrics.

But let's not forget this key point: the impact of your social media presence can't always be cashed out at the bank. Yes, a top-notch strategy can increase your sales, but it also does so much more. Your strategy can elevate your brand's credibility, build a community, and enhance customer experiences.

Now that we have covered this game-changer to your social media plan, let me give you some specifics on how you can track your Return on Investment (time, money, effort, etc.)on your social media.

• Conversion Tracking: Use analytics tools like Google Analytics to see how your social interactions translate into actions. It's like seeing who's turning up after sending out invites to an event. If you're using Facebook ads, Facebook Pixel is a must-have for tracking conversions.

• Engagement Metrics: Dive into how your audience interacts with your content. It's not just about who's viewing your story; it's about who's reacting and responding. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have their own Insights for this, and Twitter Analytics can give you the lowdown on your tweets' performance.

• Audience Feedback: This is like getting direct DMs from your followers. Use social listening tools like Hootsuite or gather direct feedback with SurveyMonkey to really understand what your audience thinks and wants.

• Revenue Tracking: For those running e-commerce, this is like checking your sales after dropping new merch. Link your campaigns to sales data to see what's hitting the right note. Google Analytics is your go-to for e-commerce tracking, and Facebook Business Manager has you covered for ad performance.

• Competitive Analysis: Keep an eye on the social media "charts." Where do you stand compared to others in your genre? Are you trending, or is there something they're doing that you can learn from? Tools like Social Blade and SEMrush can provide valuable competitive insights.