Meet the new social media marketing experts

Next time you want to learn a thing or two about social media marketing, don’t call your marketing team or your communications agency, just get in touch with the entrepreneur of a new local startup.

Chances are you will learn more than a thing or two about using social media effectively. Unlike large brands who are limited by numerous guidelines and approval processes, which usually apply to all their marketing communications including social media, small startups and entrepreneurs are not constricted and are nimbler, bolder in their approach.

Moreover they wear the user’s hat and hence manage to engage the users better. Social media is a two-way engagement medium, it’s not a broadcasting platforms, hence it’s essential that you keep the conversation going.

Its nothing different than what the scores of social media marketing guides tell you, its just that small businesses are able to practice.

I’ll quickly round up a few I noticed recently. I’ll mostly cite examples from Facebook as it’s the most frequented social media network in India.

Broken Compass

This new travel start-up engages with users by encouraging them to share quirky travel stories. They also make sure to respond to each users post, making the engagement personal.

Chumbak

Small startup that makes fresh illustrated products like fridge magnets, keychains, t shirts…etc. They run a weekly contest inviting design ideas for their products thus making users part of the process

Sugartooth

This Mumbai based Patisserie used facebook effectively to build awareness and footfalls by offering a special treat to their followers on their first anniversary.

The above are just some micro examples of how startups and small businesses across the world have adapted the medium are using it effectively, they might end up teaching the big boys on how to get bolder, nimbler and engaging on this medium.