If you’re engaging in social media with your brand, go look at your posts. No, seriously go do it. What percentage of the posts talk about you, your company, and how awesome your products are? Then, what percentage of your social media strategy is designed to build relationships and engage your current and prospective clients?<a href="http://www.brandiron.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/percentage-of-marketers-who-curate-content-curata.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1772" src="http://www.brandiron.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/percentage-of-marketers-who-curate-content-curata-300x227.jpg" alt="Pie chart of how many people are posting content that is not solely about themselves" width="300" height="227" /></a>

The most effective way to execute any social media marketing strategy is to provide selfless, thoughtful content 80% of the time. When you post something, put yourself in your customer’s shoes and ask yourself if you would care. If you successfully build relationships 80% of the time, the 20% you spend selling and promoting your brand will avoid the clutter and produce results.

Think of social media as an afterhours networking event. There is always “that guy” who pushes the hard sell to anyone who will listen. Don’t be this person; no one is going to “like” you. Instead, have an open and honest dialogue that shows your expertise.<a href="http://www.brandiron.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pushy-sales-guy-1.png"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1773" src="http://www.brandiron.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pushy-sales-guy-1-300x267.png" alt="" width="300" height="267" /></a>

With this approach, you will build relationships that turn to increased business. Don’t get antsy; a commitment to relationship building will yield result.
…and remember social media marketing is like butter, not just because its cheap, but because its great with other things and terrible by itself. To start getting the full impact of social media marketing, it must be paired with a larger integrated marketing program.