Social Marketing: Stay away from quick 'wins,' says social marketer Steve Farnsworth

What are the most important social media marketing skills that graduating college students need to understand?

Steve Farnsworth

I’m asking three questions of some leaders in the field of social marketing and this is what I learned. This is No. 20 in the series (see the links below for other posts in the series).

Today: Steve Farnsworth, Chief Digital Strategist at Jolt Digital Marketing, a Forbes Top 50 Social Media Influencer and a social and content marketing professional who can be found on Twitter as @Steveology. You can read more at The Steveology Blog.

Stay away from quick "win" activities like contests if you want to succeed at social marketing, says Farnsworth.

Marketers should be "developing a deep understanding of what customers actually want from the brand," he says. "And constantly exploring and evolving how to deliver that." 

What skills are the most important in social marketing?

"Having the ability set clear, specific goals that are aligned with the department and organization's objectives," Farnsworth says.

"And being passionate about, and adept at, metrics and measurement."

And, how important is social marketing as part of the marketing mix?

"Social has always be a part of business," Farnsworth says.

"The difference now is we have tools and technology that allow us to connect with so many."

"The most successful marketing leaders going forward will be those who integrate social into their corporate DNA."

So, what do you think? How important will social marketing be in the future and what MUST graduating students know?

Previous posts:
10 Experts Weigh In On Social Marketing
Social Marketing: Creativity and innovation are key, says deviantART’s Dan Leveille
Social Marketing: Be interesting to succeed, says author Paul Gillin
Social Marketing: Utility leads to success, says Google’s Avinash Kaushik
Social Marketing: It's definitely a team sport, says Toyota’s Scott DeYager
Social Marketing: 'Talk to people as human beings,' says Gini Dietrich, marketer and author
Social Marketing: Its 'part of a nutritious breakfast,' says Christopher Penn of WhatCounts