In today’s digital climate, one of the most important things anyone can do for their business is to understand and fully implement social media into their marketing strategies. It’s not just about posting a few times a day and expecting to gain an immediate following. It’s about building relationships online the same way you would in person. As my brother Steve Ashley and I talked about at MAWC 2015, a good rule of thumb is conducting yourself online in the same way you would in “real life.” That being said, just as there are various ways to live your life and a multitude of ways to express yourself, social media has a slew of options that can suit different needs as well as different personalities. If you’re ready to promote your business online, here are a few key points to keep in mind.
Making the Most of Your Social Media: 7 Key Tips
- Creating great content requires knowing what that is: Look at people in your industry and what they’re posting. What is it that’s engaging their audience the most? What can you learn from them? And how can you do it better? These are all essential questions to ask in creating the kind of content that will organically engage and grow your audience.
- Content is fire and social media is gasoline: If you were at MAWC 2015, I hope you remember this one. Social media is simply a way to spread your message. It requires great content, as noted above, which will in turn spread your message far and wide. But only if you’re using the right social networks in the best way.
- One size does not fit all: Know what each social media site does well and use it for that purpose. The photo below should help illustrate that point. Knowing the basics of each platform matters to how you use it and what message you put out there.
- Imagery is key: Do your best to take clear photos of your product. Blurry or awkward photos are easily disregarded. Use a digital camera or pay attention to your phone’s camera settings. Filters and effects can only take you so far. The best is a clean, clear picture.
- Clearly state who you are: Pay attention to your profiles across all platforms. It should always clearly state your name, where you’re from, what you do, and what your interests are. The person who visits your profile should immediately know right off the bat who you are.
- Build relationships: Just as you would with anyone in person, building a relationship online with your followers takes time. It requires open communication, frequent replies, and attention to detail. If your audience asks questions about your products and services, be sure to answer them as best you can. If your audience has suggestions and comments, be sure to listen to see how you can improve your business. Just as in everyday life, people want to know they’re being heard.
- Provide a solution: Lastly, one of the biggest things to understand about communicating on social media is that it should provide a service to those who are visiting your page. What problem or frustration can you help them with? How can you provide them with useful information? Don’t make it all about you and your business. Be sure to create a community with useful insights and help for those who visit it and are loyal followers.
Do you use social media to promote your business? What are some key factors you take into consideration?
