So you've decided to begin social media marketing for your business.
That's great! However, take care in your online marketing journey because just as in real life, you only get one shot to make your first impression to the web world! If you have a social media account you've no doubt seen the typical spammer - the guy or girl on your Facebook or Twitter who constantly tries to pitch their product or service, with a couple of informal words and a link to their website or product.
This, my friends, is not the way to market your company via social media.
These online marketing platforms are meant to cultivate online communities In order to make the best of them your goal should be to make and build friendships online, not push your product rudely on someone's timeline.
So here are 5 tips to help your company do better, higher quality posts:

1. Keep it semi-personal: This doesn't mean air all your dirty laundry online.
   It does mean that in most cases someone will buy into you before they buy into your product or service.
   So keep Tweets and posts interesting and engaging.
   Try to start up conversations, both personal and professional.
   
2. Use keywords: Using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in your posts is important.
   Not sure what SEO is? Look it up online.
   There are plenty of informational resources about it.
   But basically, it's using the key search terms people would use to find you.
   For example, try to use your company name in your posts, as well as other key words that describe your business.
   If you owned a pizza restaurant in Vancouver for example, you may want to try to get "pizza restaurants Vancouver" in your posts.
   
3. Use links: Linking to other websites that are related to your business is much like referrals or networking in that it helps spread the word about your site and can increase followers and fans.
   Also remember to link to your website - using social media to draw people to your website can be a great way to help sell your services.
   
4. Post videos and photos: Any time you post videos or photos to your sites you are sure to see an increase in the number of people viewing and hopefully engaging in them.
   Post videos and photos about your business or share photos and videos related to your business.
   
5. Post consistently: Regular posts are key to creating your social media presence.
   Whether it's one or 15 posts a day, just keep your presence consistent.