Social media is part of everyone’s daily routine these days, possibly even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic where social distancing is part of the new normal. Social media connects people with putting everyone at risk of infection or exacerbating the spread of COVID-19.
But what does this mean for businesses?
Social media is part of today’s lifestyle and it’s not showing any signs of waning in popularity. So it should be part of your business growth plan. Whether you’re a small bakery or an established lawn and landscape company, you need social media to connect with potential and current customers.
The numbers say it all. Currently, there are more than four billion active social media users. That’s almost twice the number of users five years ago. These social media users spend an average of two hours on their social media accounts every day.
Those two hours offer incredible opportunities for businesses to:
- Develop customer relationships
- Build brand awareness
- Make sales directly within social media platforms
To attract more clients to your business, go where your customers are – on social media.
Here’s how you can reach out to more people using Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media platforms.
Essential Social Media Tips for Businesses
Set Your Goals
Before you create a plan, know your goals. Ask yourself the following questions
- Who is your target audience?
- How can you reach out to your target audience?
- What is your primary goal for creating these social media pages?
Your answers will depend on your familiarity with social media apps. In terms of your goals, you should be wise about it, which means your goals should include the following measures:
- Have a yardstick for measuring the level of achievement you attain.
- Focus on creating leads that target a specific market.
- Be realistic with your goals. Before setting your goals, focus on an achievable target at hand.
- Don’t try to run everything by yourself. Assign specific tasks to your team.
- Be time conscious. Set a realistic and specific time frame.
Decide on the Social Media Platform You Want to Invest In
If you’re targeting a younger generation, you might think TikTok is the only way to go. On the contrary, Instagram and Facebook can go a long way for a younger audience, too.
The same thinking should apply when marketing to older audiences. For example, if you’re marketing to baby boomers, you might think that social media isn’t an option. It should be, though. You’d be surprised at the number of adults using Pinterest and Facebook.
Find out where your target audience spends most of their time and focus on those platforms, but don’t discount other social media sites. And before you make any investment, evaluate your campaigns to determine the average ROI for your social media marketing plan.
Regularly Interact with Your Audience to Understand What They Need
Interact with your audience regularly, so they can see the “human” side of your business. Show concern when they comment on your posts, react to their posts and share their feedback. Always respond in a manner that shows interest.
For example, if you’re into the piercing business, respond to clients who are asking about ear piercing aftercare – what they can do and how you can help.
Also, when interacting with your audience, understand what they need. Figure out their thoughts by reading what they write about your brand. You can also create engaging comments and posts about other aspects of your business. This will portray you as an expert in your industry.
Use Keywords and Hashtags on Your Social Media Accounts
When writing content for your social media posts, use keywords related to your business. Look for trending hashtags related to your business on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Also, use phrases that your target market is most likely using to search you up on Google.
A rule of thumb when using social media hashtags is less is more. Refrain from overusing hashtags so your post won’t look “overloaded.”
Post Regularly
Your audience will look forward to your posts if they are engaging and interesting. Maintain a regular posting schedule so your target market can look forward to something. Publish posts at regular intervals like five times a week or twice a day.
Use automating tools to automatically schedule your posts. This will save you more time while making sure that your postings appear on time.
Optimize Your Content for Social Media
Social media platforms are different, which is why you need to optimize your posts for each website’s requirements. Use different posts for each social media platform, even if you’re sharing the same message. Use videos and photos for Instagram, videos for Snapchat and short content for Twitter.
Whether you’re a small business or an established one, it’s important to have a strong social media presence on all platforms. Follow the tips above to secure your success.