How do you advertise your business? If you’re spending money on commercials or yellow book advertisements, you may be wasting your time. Social media has a more powerful influence than most other marketing platforms these days, with research showing that 90% of Americans adults have an active social media page of some kind. In the United States, 29% of social media users log in several times a day to check in with friends, post photos and opinions, and even to read up on their favorite businesses.
Social media has such an unparalleled reach and influence that companies who successfully market on these platforms enjoy a growing customer base. However, social media can be difficult to navigate and has its own set of unspoken rules, which is why business owners everywhere need to learn to be more social media savvy. This article teaches business owners to use social media to grow your brand. Here are a few things you should keep in mind when setting up social media pages and communicating with customers.
(1) Understand the Platforms
From Twitter to Snapchat, there is a social media platform designed for the preferences of every user out there. Facebook is primarily a place where users can enjoy a friendly landing page completely dedicated to the business or owner, while Twitter gives business owners the chance to communicate directly with customers across the world in 140 characters or less. However, choosing the wrong platform can spell trouble for your business.
For example, if you have a clothing company that specializes in all of the latest and greatest styles, opting for a social media platform that isn’t picture-heavy could reduce interest in your brand. However, a social media platform that revolves around simple snaps, such as Instagram, could give your customers a quick glance at what to expect from your Spring line.
Before you choose a social media platform, think carefully about how you want to use your page. Do you want to use social media to answer comments or guest complaints, or do you want to offer a comfortable landing page that offers a touch of your company’s aesthetic? Whatever your goals may be, make sure that your social media page reflects your brand values, and proofread, proofread, proofread. Posting the wrong picture or saying the wrong thing on social media could do extensive damage to your brand value and brand image.
(2) Research Your Target Audience
Another key consideration you is who you are trying to reach. Think about your target audience and what would be most helpful for them online. Do your homework and make use of online analytics to learn what your customers are doing online. Understand their likes, preferences and favorite activities. This will help you decide where you want to be seen online and what kind of social media presence you need to have.
Talk to your customers about what they would like to see online or how you could make their social media experience more enjoyable. Many businesses offer coupons, exclusive event information, or even online sales and giveaways through social media to encourage clients to “Like” their pages or to mention their business in online comments.
(3) Choose Your Talking Points Wisely
The kiss of death for many businesses is saying the wrong thing online for the world to see. Before you make any comments regarding local news stories, events, or even company promotions, think carefully about how your comments could be seen by people who aren’t familiar with your brand. Try to engage with customers in a friendly, professional, and fun way—and avoid any comment that could be construed as bigoted, offensive, or damaging in any way.
To choose your talking points wisely, look to businesses who use social media very successfully, such as The Merrymaker Sisters, Luxury Hair, and Sweet Pure Honey. These companies became popular on social media because of their informal, entertaining, and engaging tone.
(4) Hire A Professional To Monitor Social Media
If you want to make your company look irrelevant, simply set up a social media page and never log in again. Mismanaged social media can make your business look like a graveyard for unanswered questions and outdated advertisements, which is why it is so crucial for you to keep your social media page up to date. To make this process much easier, many business owners these days hire professional marketing companies to monitor and update their social media accounts, offering new information, answering customer questions, and commenting on news elements that could affect the industry. Using a team of marketing experts can also help you to use your social media page to its full potential—so that you can make your company more viable and interesting than ever before.
About the Author
Ryan Chamomile is a co-founder and the CEO of Infogenix, a web design, programming, and marketing company based in Orem, Utah. The company began in 1998 with Ryan as the sole web and graphic designer, but he also became interested in AdWords and Search Engine Optimization when he realized that there was more to developing a site for success on the internet than having an excellent design. He has now been an expert in the Design,
