Social is here to stay – and whether your business is big or small, you need to step up.
Any business operating in the digital age needs to consider the impact that being silent on social media could have on their business. If a social presence is not a part of your digital marketing strategy, you could be missing out on an array of opportunities to engage with potential and existing customers, create awareness of your business, build your brand and increase conversions.
Could your business implement a successful social media strategy?
The answer is yes! Here are 5 simple steps to get you started:
Be choosy with your channels
When you decide to get started on social media, it’s important to choose your channels carefully. You do not need to be present on every single platform as you could find yourself spread too thin and wasting time on channels that don’t benefit you. Your social media presence will only be effective if you are engaging on platforms that resonate with your audience, your particular industry and the type of content you share. Do your research and select a few social media platforms that suit your business.
Take social seriously
As a small or medium sized business, you may not have the capacity to employ a social media manager but that doesn’t mean your social media should be a last minute, rushed affair. There are plenty of tools available to help a busy business make the most of social media.
Dedicate some time to developing a social media strategy so you can ensure your activity has a purpose and can easily be worked into your routine. Scheduling tools such as Hootsuite and Buffer mean you don’t have to be constantly ‘present’ online to share quality content and updates. However, it is beneficial to commit some time to listening and engaging in real-time with customers and within your industry to ensure you’re up-to-date and part of the conversation!
Use a variety of content
Social media is your opportunity to get creative! Don’t just stick to repetitive text posts - instead think about how you can use a variety of visual content and inject some personality or humour into what you share. You could share photo updates of projects you’re working on or events you attend, or interesting infographics relating to your industry. Users are much more likely to share or engage with attention-grabbing content – so think outside the text box!
Share, engage and be social!
Don’t post the same old content sporadically and expect your following to triple overnight and your business to boom as a result. In order to get the most out of your social media, you need to be active! Share interesting posts, engage with other users, comment on news and industry updates and make sure you’re getting your voice and brand out into the social sphere. Don’t isolate yourself from other influencers in your field either. Connecting with others and interacting with their content can help to position you as a key voice or thought-leader within your community.
Use it as another tool
Consider the alternative ways that social media can assist your business. For example, your social media platform can act as a key tool for delivering excellent customer service. By using your platforms effectively you can provide real-time or more efficient support and advice to customers, engage with users to develop lasting relationships or encourage customers to leave feedback and reviews on social media.
By taking full advantage of the low-cost (or free!) social media platforms and tools available online you could find that social media is more than just a conversational tool, but an opportunity to grow and develop your business.