1. Start with Objectives
When you embark on your social media journey, it’s important to define the direction you want your business to go. Start with your marketing objectives and then evaluate how social media can help you achieve them. I see many businesses buy into ideas that overwhelm them. You don’t have to use social media as a megaphone or be on every platform to stay on top of things. Work smarter not harder. Social media can be the driving force behind meeting these goals, or it can help accentuate your overall marketing efforts. It really depends on each business’s unique position in the marketplace. My job at Absolute is to help clients define the most effective platforms that will work for their business, and most importantly, help them reach their marketing goals. “Social media can be a great way for small business owners to connect with prospects and customers. Done right, it can make sales skyrocket. Some entrepreneurs have even built an entire business on a social media platform” – Gerri Detweiler contributor at Forbes magazine.
2. Build Your Authority
As busy business owners, we tend to forget about our personal profiles. You don’t have to be on every platform, but if you have to be on one, LinkedIn may be your best gig given its business-centric position in the social media landscape. Your focus should be concentrated on growing your audience and engagement as you position yourself as an expert in whatever your chosen field might be. In fact, utilizing this strategy can boost sales and conversion rates just by posting quality content on a consistent basis. From a personal perspective, you can connect or collaborate with other like-minded owners and businesses which could lead you to your next big opportunity. “Authority is a currency. The more of it you have, the more you can cash in on opportunities for growth of all kinds.”- Gerri Detweiler.
3. Show Appreciation
The best part about social media is that you aren’t the only one online! I mean if we’re being honest, the best part about social media is all the cute cat memes out there, but the not being alone thing is definitely right up there too. Social media isn’t just a highlight reel for you to post the rewards you won or all of the products you may have on sale. Posts like that are alright every now and then, but what’s truly important is sticking to a plan of building connections with people who have helped you and supported you in your business. For example, you can thank people or other businesses by commenting on their posts or giving them a follow. It’s a small way of saying thank you that they will appreciate, and, in the end, help solidify the relationship between your business and your patrons. Most businesses remember kind gestures. “If you’re looking to increase your store’s conversions, traffic and improve your brand’s reputation, you need to show your appreciation to the customers who support and promote your business. And what better avenue than their favorite social platforms?” – unknown
4. Stand Out
There is nothing wrong with posting unique content on social media if anything it will help you stand out. Of course, you should stick to content that sticks to a theme or your brand’s marketing objective, but other than that it’s up to you to have fun with your image online. Showing you have a voice and culture to your company is inviting for all users and followers. “Social media is personal. It’s your personal brand first, and your job or business second. You need to convey your persona. Get above the noise. Be different. You don’t have to wear a superhero costume like me, but in a world of social media noise you need to stand out and be remembered.“ – Kedma Ough
5. Create A Calendar
A great way to stay organized and save time is to schedule out your social media posts. The more consistently you post – the more consistent results you’ll have. At Absolute, we use CoSchedule to plan posts, sometimes scheduling them out months in advance. This social media scheduling software allows you to link your social media accounts to an editorial calendar where you can plot posts out week-to-week or month-to-month. I love it because it’s user-friendly and a great way to stay organized. “You can create a strategy and actually get better results with less time and effort. You can determine which activities to automate and which to assign, whether that’s to an employee or contractor.” – Gerri Detweiler
6. Don’t Try To Do It Yourself
I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to help other businesses reach their goals by assisting them with their social accounts. Digital media experts can add to your business, and they can help you craft a brand voice, generate content that will stand out in the crowded world of social media, or help you with paid advertorial buys targeted directly to your target audience, etc. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at Absolute Marketing. I’d be happy to take your social media burdens off your entrepreneurial plate. “As a small business owner, your time is limited, so delegate social media work to someone (or a team) in your company, or engage an outside expert. Then add the cost of your social media strategy to your budget.” – Gerri Detweiler.