It was Anna’s passion for social media and her genuine approach to her audience that saw her win the award for Best Emerging Social Media Marketer of the Year at the recent Social Media Marketing Institutes Gala Awards Night.
Anna McCormack, of local firm Beacon Social Media said she prepared her submission without any expectation of winning. ‘I was genuinely surprised when they called my name. When they started describing the winner before announcement, I realised they were talking about me and I was thinking just breathe Anna, just breathe.
‘I approached my submission using the same advice I give all my clients. Be honest and make it about building genuine relationships. Anna’s approach is that everything comes back to the foundation of relationships. ‘Social media helps businesses grow but it is not a platform from which to sell. It is a platform to build relationships. I always come from a people-first approach. From there positive outcomes flow, if you focus solely on the numbers there is nothing of substance to gain.’
Anna has been supporting many local businesses with their social media pages, seeing these as an avenue to represent themselves online and potentially grow with their clientele.
One business in particular is Blueys Café Lismore. Owners John & Diane Rees were finding it difficult following the Lismore flood to get things back on tract, and with a little reluctance, decided to explore the social media path. Over the months following the cafes trade picked back up with old customers returning and a new younger crowd now frequenting the café.
As Anna points out ‘almost everyone is on social media these days. If you are genuine, you will attract a genuine audience and people will seek you out.’ Anna has also helped larger businesses refine their messages to connect with the community.
‘Many people will look at businesses social pages before they choose to engage with them, which is why it is paramount to be always transparent in your representation.
And a little light-heartedness goes a long way too!’