Social Media Marketing Across the Globe

Social Media Marketing
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With technology being as advanced as it is nowadays, it is very easy to reach your target audience members, no matter where they are. You most likely find it very easy to reach anyone you wish to reach no matter which country they inhabit.

There is a good likelihood that you are connected to one or more of the most popular social media channels. If you happen to be connected on Facebook, you will find that Facebook has connections around the world. Not only are people connected internationally but they are extremely active and their activities are consistent. It is important, however, to choose the most appropriate social network for you and your business. That may be Facebook or it might be another social media channel. If you are interested in improving your international following through social media marketing, increasing your brand awareness, and really creating and nurturing relationships all over the world, you will have to do your homework regarding the cultures of the people you are attempting to reach and many other differences that will become apparent very quickly.

One of the considerations that you need to keep in mind when it comes to reaching international audiences is the language difference. Although English is, in many ways, the universal language, there are still many people who don’t speak, read, and write in English and if you wish to connect with those people, you are going to have to find a way around it. In other words, you will have to accommodate those people rather than expecting them to accommodate you. Additionally, there will be other cultural differences of which you need to be aware.

Social media has a great deal of international diversity

It is extremely important to take into consideration the idea that there are many different influencers  and people who are looking to be influenced around the world. They are as important as you are in this context. Before you decide to connect with people on an international level, you should research where the largest number of people reside and start to build a following with those people. You have the potential to build a wonderful international network, which will add a new dimension to your professional experience and that is the way to go about it.

How to decide on which international audience you wish to target

Before you first go after the particular target audience in a foreign country, you need to come up with exactly which country or countries you wish to target and there are a few decisions that you need to make before that  happens.

Which country?

This is your first question. If you are thinking about a particular country, you need to establish if that particular country will fulfill your needs. A great place to start is with the Chamber of Commerce (your local one is probably fine). International social media studies exist and they should be able to answer many of your questions, including telling you if your particular social media marketing is appropriate for that particular country. Of course, if you find that a small number of people in a particular country are engaged on social media channels, it most likely will not be a good choice for you. Your preliminary research is critical to your success.

Which social networks?

From the perspective of the general concept, the same rule should apply to foreign countries as the United States. You need to choose the social network based on your particular business and your offerings. If your offerings are not of interest to your target audience (in any country around the world), you won’t accomplish anything. You may want to consider graphic social networks for foreign audiences. They are gaining wider appeal around the world and people can relate to graphics.

Which content should you share?

Again, whichever content you normally share should be shared with your foreign audience. It is about topics more than anything else. Your content should be valuable, exciting, compelling, and appropriate for your audience, no matter where the are. Your ultimate goal (as always) is to get them to eventually buy what you are selling. However, you initially have the same obligation as always–to solve their problems and to teach them something of value.

Conclusion

Although each country and each person has different rules, humans are basically all the same and each person needs you to connect with them on a human, emotional level. That is the only way that you will be able to start to develop a relationship together and that is a language that you have in common. More and more business people are reaching out to international audiences and it is bringing their businesses to a whole new level. It is worth considering for your business. You may find it challenging in the beginning to successfully reach foreign audiences but you will find that it is well worth the effort.

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Author

  • Michael Cohn

    Michael Cohn is the founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of CompuKol Communications. He has decades of experience in IT and web technologies. Michael founded CompuKol Communications to help small businesses and entrepreneurs increase their visibility and reputation. CompuKol consults, creates, and implements communication strategies for small businesses to monopolize their markets with a unique business voice, vision, and visibility. Mr. Cohn earned a Master’s degree in project management from George Washington University in Washington, DC; and a Master’s degree in computer science and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ.

2 Responses

  1. Maria Belen Rotelli says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups
    Group: Marketing & Communication Network
    Discussion: Social Media Marketing Across the Globe

    Totally agree! It seems that nowadays when technology is going into every aspect of our life, communicators sometimes forgets that if you want your audience still be connected with you, you need to connect with them at an emotional level that still need human contact.
    By Maria Belen Rotelli

  2. Michael Heinz says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups
    Group: Social Media University Online
    Discussion: Social Media Marketing Across the Globe

    Great article!! It´s so easy: understanding the true components of lasting relationships, and integrating this into digital behaviors. Seth Godin recently wrote a blog post, saying it´s only 6 basic emotions that human beings are centered around. Referring to these, adressing these emotions in one way or another, improves chances for being “heard” and, perhaps, stimulate an active response!
    By Michael Heinz