Social marketing is the use of social media websites for the purpose of making people aware of your product and promote your brand, product or service. A clear and effective social marketing plan is designed to improve your business and has to be carefully mapped out to attract and engage social-media fans and followers, and eventually convert them into customers.

Here are the things you have to consider for incorporation in your social marketing plan:

1.    Goals

Identify your concern here. State your marketing objectives and your behavioral goals. What you want to achieve. The marketing plan is only one part of your business plan, so that your marketing plan is specific and fit the overall business plan. Think how you can use social media to solve your customers' problem. Write your plan so you can always go back to it for a review.

2.    Identify you target audience.

It is necessary that you know who you will do business with. Qualify in terms of gender, age group, etc. Fit your product or service to your target.

3.    Determine the type of social media that you want to use to promote your business.

Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Instagram are among the most popular social media networks these days, and the good thing about these is you can link them to your blog or website. With a powerful tool like the Google analytics WordPress plugin, you can track your site's performance as it relates to the mentioned social media platforms.

4.    Create a social media account.

If you are just starting and are with only one or two people, start with a blog and a presence in one social network, at least in the early months. You could learn more by choosing a network and surveying your customers about which platform they use most. As your business grows, you can expand to more networks.

5.    Customer Service.

A means to reach and interact with your current and potential customers can be either Facebook or Twitter or Google+ and other platforms to instantly respond to customer queries, order status inquiries, and address complaints.

6.    Social media followers who are converted into customers.

Posting of ads to Facebook is a simple, economical way to expand your fan base, encourage engagement and consolidate sales leads. Do the personal marketing now to convert your fan base to convert those sales.

7.    Measure of success of social media marketing efforts.

Track your social media marketing metrics to gauge which tactic and categories of posts materialized and which do not work. Some of the best wordpress plugins can help you do just that. Use the information to improve future postings and settle on the effectual ways to connect with your fans and followers.

8.    Have a budget.

Know how much you can afford and set your priority where money is going. Learn how to estimate your budget. Do some readings or ask help from experts in that area.

Once you have reviewed, revised and finalized your Social Marketing Plan, it's time to launch and implement your plan. Take note of your progress and make adjustments if needed. You can always refer back to your plan.