Social media, like it or not, is here to stay. It will continue to change, and grow, and shrink, but it’s not going anywhere. Organizations that refuse to embrace social media are ignoring the (currently) most economical form of marketing available. Here are some tips on how to market your business through social media.
5 Tips for Marketing Your Business with Social Media
- Divide and Conquer – There are too many social media networks. I won’t even bother to list them because most of them won’t matter for your business. It’s important that you choose one to start with and post consistently on that platform. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to add another, and another, and another. Repeating that process until you’ve either a) run out of time or b) run out of platforms. As I write this, Facebook is, for most businesses, the place to start. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider Instagram, YouTube or even Pinterest as your primary social media channel. Depending on your product or service, competition, and time available, you might have more success on one platform versus another. If in doubt, experiment.
- Stay Consistent – Whatever the frequency you choose for your social media posts, stick with it. Posting 3 times per week, every week, is better than posting 7 times one week and then only once the next week. This all has to do with building momentum using the social media platform algorithms, as well as building momentum in the way you and others see your content.
- Try Different Types of Content – You should be experimenting with content, constantly. One of the hallmarks of the content I produce for clients is that it’s always evolving. By watching what works for others, and utilizing new tools, you can get ideas on how you can reach your preferred audience. It’s not always the content that you expect, so be willing to try off-the-wall stuff.
Watch the Metrics – Numbers matter, but they’re not the most important thing. Would you rather have a million followers who never buy anything or 100 that do? The social media economy is (finally) moving away from simply valuing likes/mentions/comments and moved on to valuing how that media converts into dollars. Remember, your social media is meant to help your business, not become a separate entity.- Be Real – Quite often I work with groups who want to bring in professional photographers and hold photo shoots for all of their images. That can work, but… what happens when that professional image creates a perception that is nowhere near reality? Everyone is used to fraudulent advertising, and that resistance is spreading into social media. You can’t try to be authentic, you either are or aren’t. If you’re trying, you’re not. Leverage the misstep from others by putting forth content that shows the reality of your business and what you do. The people, the ups and downs, the customers. Sure, there’s a filter that has to come through so you’re not offending your followers or violating the other four rules. But, if you focus on your business and how you can help your potential customers, you’ll be fine.
Final Thoughts
Social media can be overwhelming, but it can also be transformational. While it’s not the place I start with all clients, it is often one of the first. There’s (rarely) a more economical way to create an impact, which is why I like it so much. If you’re looking for advice or even someone to take over your social media entirely, I’d love to help – contact me!