Navigating the ins and outs of your business’s social media use is undoubtedly an important task. In fact, some authorities claim that businesses that refuse to get on board the social media train will be left behind. It is precisely because it is such an important undertaking that it can also be so tricky. Poorly operated social media accounts that have dull or otherwise unappealing content can drive customers away and ultimately be detrimental to a company’s well-being.
On the other hand, smartly executed social media can help your company attract and retain clients. Customers are more likely to be loyal to you if they connect with you on some level. This is why you should use social media to paint a picture of your company that your customers can identify with. Not sure of the best way to do that? Keep reading for some tips.
Pick Your Platforms
Having an online presence is important, but where you should plant your virtual flag depends on what kind of business you are running. A graphic design business would probably be best served by the visual nature of Instagram. If sharing videos of your product in action is important to you, then you might want to turn to YouTube. Of course, you are not limited to only one type of social media, nor should you be. Different platforms can represent different facets of your company. Just be sure to post fitting content on each one.
You should also think about what sites your client base is most likely to be using. If you are trying to get your food blog off the ground, then building a presence on Pinterest might be the best way to reach your target audience. Overall, your approach should be to pick and use the networks that can best represent your company’s goals and personality.
Show and Tell
Nothing grabs people’s attention like the promise of inside information. By using the internet to tell your unique story, you can cultivate interest in and loyalty to your company. Give your social media followers goodies they didn’t know they wanted, like promo codes, useful tips, and glimpses into your company’s inner processes.
For a good example of how to do this well, look to hamptoncreek. Their YouTube channel has over 140 videos solely dedicated to tutorials on using their products in recipes, but it does not stop there. By browsing all of the available videos, viewers can learn about the company’s roots, mission, culture, and latest developments. The sincerity and commitment of the company’s employees are evident in these videos and is likely to resonate with customers.
Plan Ahead (Most of the Time)
The real-time nature of social media allows companies to use current events as advertising opportunities. For example, a hardware store can use Facebook to announce a sale on shovels when a blizzard comes through town. While these spontaneous posts can be a boon, most of your social media posts should be planned in advance.
Writing your content ahead of time enables you to prepare posts that are interesting, shareable, and grammatically correct. It will also save you time in the long run—instead of spending ten minutes each day writing posts, you can crank out a week’s worth of posts in thirty minutes. Being able to look at all of your posts at once also enables you to make sure they are distinct from one another and written in your desired tone. There are a variety of social media management tools that you can use to make your job even easier.
Be Yourself
Your company has unique strengths and a unique culture, so you should not sell yourself short by posting generic content. Instead, show your customers your personality. Do you have a knack for fun facts? Do you have pride in your local teams? Do you like a good riddle? Let the world know. It is possible to be professional while still putting your best traits on display. Customers who look forward to your posts will be more likely to follow any links you share, therefore increasing your website’s traffic and improving business.
Stand out
Most companies today use social media. Using social media is not about simply having an online presence—it is about having a memorable presence. Set yourself apart from other companies by creating thoughtful content that sticks with your customers. If you do it right, they will be more than just your customers—they will be your followers, too.