I may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post but I only ever recommend things I use and love myself.
Social media can be a great way for small business owners to connect with prospects and customers.
Done properly, it can make sales skyrocket but, if you’re not careful, it can be a distracting time drainer, or even backfire by alienating customers and prospects.
Follow these 9 tips to guarantee success with your social media.
- Learn everything you can about your audience
If you don’t know who your audience is how can you connect with them? Get as specific as possible. - Choose which networks to use (and which to ignore)
Research the demographics about who uses which platform. Apply the results to what you know about your audience to determine which platforms you should and shouldn’t use. - Conduct an audit
Follow the data and examine what posts work well and which don’t. This will help you plan what to do more of, what to improve and what to stop. - Keep an eye on the competition
Competitors can give great inspiration for your own social media activities. Learn from them so you can decide what you should (and shouldn’t do) - Listen for mentions of your brand
Know what people are saying on your social media channels. Use the information to get valuable insights about your business. - Establish your social media voice and tone
Write from the reader’s perspective to make them, not you, the hero in the story. Be clear about what they can expect from you. - Follow the social media ‘Rule of Thirds’
â…“ share posts to promote your business, convert leaders and generate profit
â…“ share posts of ideas from influencers in your industry (or like-minded businesses)
â…“ share posts of personal stories to build your brand - Respond to all comments promptly
Because when you don’t it make you look rude, lazy and uninterested in your audience - Use data to determine when and how often to post
When is the right time to post? It depends on the social network. People might be on LinkedIn during regular work hours but use Instagram in their own time.
Follow these 9 tips to guarantee success with your social media.
