Social media has been proven to be an influential tool for driving sales and connecting with your community and customers in today’s digital world. Businesses of all sizes can use these platforms to improve visibility, find customers, build loyal bases and increase sales, not just large corporations.
Build a Robust Social Presence – Not every social media platform will be relevant to your business. You should be where your ideal customers are. Being strategic by only focusing on where your target audience will be and what will help you promote your business will allow you to develop a schedule and post frequently and more efficiently. For example, a bakery might find Instagram best for sharing photos, while an attorney may find LinkedIn more valuable for sharing insights.
Target Local – Use social platform tools to increase your visibility in a specific area, including using popular local hashtags to promote your business locally. And make sure your profiles include relevant information about your business, such as your location, hours, contact information and website.
Make Community a Priority – Social media is a great way to engage with your local community. Share local news, participate in and post about local events and support your fellow local businesses. You not only establish yourself as a business that cares about the community but may also be able to reach out to new audiences.
Share Content, Not Just Sell – Great content, ideas and stories are the backbone of a successful social effort. Make sure your content is relevant and valuable to your audience. Rather than posting only basics about your business, consider product demonstrations, behind-the-scenes peeks, customer testimonials, information about your team, DIY ideas, tips and special offers. Remember, consistency is critical. Develop a posting schedule and stick to it to keep your audience engaged.
Emphasize Interactions – Encourage your customers to share their experiences with your business, products or services and tag you when doing so on social media. This user-generated content can be a powerful advertisement, as it comes directly from satisfied customers and appears more authentic and trustworthy.
Manage Online Reviews – Online reviews can significantly affect your business’ reputation. Be prompt in responding to positive and negative reviews on platforms like Yelp, Google or Facebook. Show appreciation for positive reviews and address negative ones constructively and professionally.
Create Contests and Giveaways – Contests and giveaways are a cost-effective way to increase engagement, reach and followers. These tactics can increase your visibility by encouraging users to interact and share your posts. Make prizes relevant to your business and your current and potential customers.
Scott Rainone is the managing partner of Fahrenheit Strategic, based in Ravenna, Ohio. The marketing and digital strategy firm connects public and private companies and organizations to their most important audiences. Connect at teamfahrenheit.com to grow your business with focused marketing, branding and social media strategies.
