1. Marketing through Social Media
Presented by the Monroe County Public Library

2. What is social media?
Social media is “a term used to
describe a variety of Web-based
platforms, applications and
technologies that enable people to
socially interact with one another
online. Some examples of social
media sites and applications include
Facebook, YouTube, Del.icio.us,
Twitter, Digg, blogs and other sites
that have content based on user
participation and user-generated
content (UGC).” (Source: webopedia.com)

3. Introductions
• Me: Austin Stroud, instructional designer at the Monroe
County Public Library and adjunct faculty at Ivy Tech
Community College
– Avid social media user from the beginning.
– Experience assisting with or managing the social media/online
marketing presence for libraries and organizations.
• You:
– How do you currently use social media (websites like Facebook,
Twitter, LinkedIn)?
– Are you using it for both business and personal lives?
– What are you interested in learning more about today?

4. Personal vs. Business
• Keep your personal life out of your
business/organization’s online presence. To do this
effectively, it’s important to have a personal and a
professional presence on social media websites.
• It’s fine to have some ‘fun’ with your business’ online
presence, but keep the personal life separate to protect
your privacy and reputation via social media.
• If you want to cross personal and business, share posts
from your business’ account to your personal
account (but not vice versa).

5. What is Twitter?
Twitter is “a free social messaging tool that lets
people stay connected through brief text message
updates up to 140 characters in length. Twitter is
based on you answering the question "What are
you doing?" You then post thoughts, observations,
and goings-on during the day. Your update is
posted on your Twitter profile page through SMS
text messaging, the Twitter Web site, instant
messaging, RSS, e-mail, or through other social
applications and sites, such as Facebook.”
(Source: webopedia.com)
Twitter does not have a clear designation between
personal and business accounts like Facebook.

6. How Can I Market with Twitter?
• Share news releases or media stories/videos that relate
to your business (almost all news stories have a tweet
option to share to Twitter).
• Network with clients, colleagues, or competitors (follow
those you are interested in, retweet interesting posts they
make to your followers, have some ‘fun’ with it – connect
with your clients/consumers) .
• Post pictures (both that relate to your brand and random).
• Link back to your website as much as possible.
• Use hashtags # (the pound sign).
• Consider advertising (not for everyone).
I recommend a business casual approach to Twitter.
Don’t be too serious or too comfortable.

7. Good Twitter Examples
• Target: https://twitter.com/Target
• RadioShack: https://twitter.com/RadioShack
• Home Depot: https://twitter.com/HomeDepot
• Starbucks: https://twitter.com/Starbucks
• Southwest Airlines: https://twitter.com/SouthwestAir
• Zappos: https://twitter.com/ZapposStyle
• American Red Cross: https://twitter.com/RedCross
There are many more good examples, these are just
a few that are using Twitter in an effective way to
market their services. The library’s account can be
found here: https://twitter.com/mcplindiana

8. Creating a Twitter Account
Twitter does not have a clear designation between personal
and business accounts like Facebook.
For help on creating a Twitter account , checkout a few of the
below links:
•http://www.gcflearnfree.org/twitter101 (Video Tutorials)
•https://support.twitter.com/ (Twitter Help/Support Center)

9. What is Facebook?
Facebook is “a social networking site (SNS) that
connects people with friends and others who work,
study and live around them. People use Facebook to
keep in touch with friends, post photos, share links
and exchange other information.”
(Source: webopedia.com)
Facebook is the most popular social media
website to market on, but Twitter (mentioned
previously) is not far behind. Facebook has clear
designations between personal and business
accounts.

10. How Can I Market with Facebook?
• Share news releases or media stories/videos that relate to
your business (almost all news stories have a share to
Facebook option).
• Network with clients, colleagues, or competitors (like those
you are interested in, share interesting posts they make to
your fans, tag other businesses/partners, have some ‘fun’
with it – connect with your clients/consumers) .
• Post pictures (both that relate to your brand and random).
• Link back to your website as much as possible.
• Use hashtags # (the pound sign).
• Consider advertising (not for everyone).
I recommend a business casual approach to
Facebook. Don’t be too serious or too comfortable.

11. Good Facebook Examples
• Starbucks: https://www.facebook.com/Starbucks
• HubSpot: https://www.facebook.com/hubspot
• Verizon: https://www.facebook.com/verizon
• Ben & Jerry’s: https://www.facebook.com/benandjerrysUS
• Livestrong: https://www.facebook.com/livestrong
There are many more good examples, these are just a few
that are using Facebook in an effective way to market their
services. The library’s Facebook Page can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/mcpl.info

12. Creating a Facebook Account
If you wish, you can just create a business page and not have
a personal Facebook account (I recommend you have both).
For help on creating a general account for personal or
business use, checkout these helpful websites:
•http://www.gcflearnfree.org/facebook101 (Video Tutorials)
•https://www.facebook.com/help (Facebook Help/Support
Center)

13. Creating a Facebook Page
• Why not a Facebook Group instead? Groups are more
closed off and private when compared to Pages:
https://www.facebook.com/help/155275634539412/
• To get started with creating a Facebook Page, go to this
link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/create/
• Facebook Pages glossary:
https://www.facebook.com/help/257604371027967/
• Managing a Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/help/583181978367528/

14. What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is “a professional, business-oriented social
networking site. Here, users can create a profile that
is akin to a resume. Your LinkedIn profile summarizes
your current and previous professional experience,
your company and its industry and affiliates, your
educational background, and any Web sites you own
or are affiliated with.” (Source: webopedia.com)
Many people use LinkedIn more on a personal level,
but companies can also use this to post jobs and
network in groups with similar companies or
organizations.

15. How Can I Market with LinkedIn?
• Post job openings.
• Join groups related to your profession.
• Join groups within your community.
• Connect with colleagues and clients.
• Share industry news.
• Gather recommendations from clients/consumers.
• Create a company page.

16. Good LinkedIn Examples
• PR 20/20: http://www.linkedin.com/company/pr-20-20
• Red Shoes: http://www.linkedin.com/company/pr-20-20
• Overdrive Interactive: http://www.linkedin.com/company/42954
• Voices.com: http://www.linkedin.com/company/voices-com/products
• HubSpot: http://www.linkedin.com/company/hubspot
• ClearRisk: http://www.linkedin.com/company/clearrisk-inc/products
These are just a few examples of companies utilizing LinkedIn in
an effective way to market their services.

17. Creating a LinkedIn Account
For help on creating a general account for personal or
business use, checkout these helpful websites:
•http://www.gcflearnfree.org/socialmedia/module/25 (Video
Tutorials/Overview of Features)
•http://help.linkedin.com/app/home (LinkedIn Help/Support
Center)

18. Additional Social Media to Consider
If your business or organization is more visual-based in
product (photographer, artist, baker, cook, etc.) consider
one of these social media websites to market your services:
•Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/
•Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/ (doubles as a blog)
Videos are also a good way to connect with an audience.
Keep your videos short (no more than 2-3 minutes).
•YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/
There are other social media outlets, but all of these
mentioned seem to be ‘hot’ right now. Find what works
best for you!

19. Marketing through Social Media Do’s
• Go all in or not at all.
• Engage with your fans/followers.
• Post a minimum of once/day, but don’t post too much
(three times/day is ideal – morning/afternoon/evening).
• Check social media at least once/day (more ideal), and
respond to comments/messages.
• Utilize scheduling tools when away (HootSuite-type
products).
• Have some ‘fun’ with it.

20. Marketing through Social Media Don'ts
• Don’t spam your fans/followers.
• Don’t use social media just to share events and news
about your business/organization. Mix it up.
• Don’t be boring (entertain your followers).
• Don’t be too comfortable (avoid controversy).
• Don’t link your social media accounts to post to more
than one at once. Each one has a unique audience and
should be treated as such.

21. Contact Me
Available for free, one hour one-
on-one appointments at the
library:
Austin Stroud
Instructional Designer
Monroe County Public Library
303 East Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47408
(812)349-3050 ext. 1666
astroud@mcpl.info