Building a strong social media presence, especially from scratch, is a challenge many brands and businesses face. And while everyone dreams of starting out with a large and adoring group of followers, we know that reality can be a little bleaker. Building a social media presence takes time, and growing a loyal following requires a solid understanding of what your audience really wants. Fortunately, our list of tips can teach you a few ways to increase your social media presence and set your business apart from the competition.
The first step in establishing your brand or business on social media is choosing one or two platforms that are best for you and your audience. Naturally, you’ll want to choose a platform that reaches a substantial portion of your desired audience. You’ll be posting and interacting with your fans and customers on a regular basis, so consider choosing a platform that you have experience with. If your audience is more present on a platform you’re not familiar with, educate yourself on the platform as much as possible and take the leap. You’ll learn as you go.
One of the most important things for a business to do on their social media page is to post quality content on a regular basis. The challenge is in finding the time to dedicate to Facebook, Twitter, and/or other social media platforms. With a social media strategy in place, you can set up your calendar to include time slots for content creation, blog posts, adding upcoming events, posting videos or pictures, and responding to comments and messages.
Once you’ve set up your page, it’s helpful to include social media icons on your website and on your email signature. This makes it easy for searchers to find your social media page if they land on your website first, or if they’re on your email list.
After you’ve established yourself on social media, identify your goals—such as building a social media presence. Once you know your objectives, you can tailor your posts to drive your brand toward these goals. After identifying your own goals, it’s important to identify the goals of your audience. What do they want or need from your page? Thinking from a customer’s perspective will make this step much easier. If you run a restaurant, for example, your customers may want to know your hours of operation, daily specials, or interesting facts that set you apart from other restaurants. They may also want to see pictures of meals, your team, and the restaurant itself.
One of the best ways to increase your social media presence is to actively engage with your audience. If someone writes a comment, be sure to comment back. Respond to messages when people reach out with questions or concerns. Should someone have a complaint, it’s important that you put on your customer service hat and respond quickly and professionally. Customer service isn’t just crucial for brick-and-mortar locations—it’s a big deal in the online world, too.
From forming a cohesive social media strategy to providing superior customer service, there are many ways to grow your social media presence. By planning everything out and dedicating specific periods of time to work on your page(s), you can successfully—and efficiently—make your name known across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other popular platforms. Whether you operate a Charleston carriage tours company or an automotive repair shop in Denver, get your name out there and start boosting your social media presence today!