Running an online business has its challenges, however, being able to advertise and interact with your target audience has never been easier thanks to technology and social media. Social media has become the best way to market and advertise to your clients, potential clients and customers.
However, if you’re new to using social media as a marketing tool, it can be scary and overwhelming. There are lots of different platforms and ways you can market your business.
Here are 7 ways to use your social media to build your brand awareness, market and ultimately make sales.
1. Build relationships:
The unique benefit of social media marketing for small businesses is that it allows you to talk directly to customers and followers. It allows you to build relationships instead of just going straight for the sale. One way to build these relationships is to engage with your followers when they comment on your posts, blogs or videos. This will help by building trust and will help to open communication. As you nurture and form these relationships, they have the potential to develop into sales over time.
2. Know your audience:
Another reason using social media for business is so effective is that you can reach your exact audience. But first, you need to know and understand who your ideal client and audience is. From there, you can start to develop a solid picture of who is buying from you and interacting with you online. This will also help you to create your marketing strategy, so you are speaking directly to your audience.
3. Use the right tools:
When you have spent the time creating a marketing strategy for your social media, you will need a few tools to help you launch and put that strategy out to your clients. Take advantage of tools that automate or simplify much of the work. These tools are used to help you with being more productive. Find a program you like where you can create eye catching graphics (Canva for the win) and a program where you can schedule your content out (we have used many but currently are using Facebook Creator). When you can schedule your posts, it ensures you are consistent with getting content to your followers.
4. Live Video:
Facebook lives always have a lot of engagement. People like to see you and hear what you have to share. It is also a great way for your audience to be able to ask questions. So, if you’re afraid of getting in front of the camera, you may want to brush up on those public speaking skills! Live video is here to stay, and it is proven to help when it comes to your engagement rate.
5. IGTV & Stories:
Like Facebook Lives, IG created a way for users to make longer videos – IGTV. This feature allows you to create a video longer than what is allowed in your feed or stories. Again, these videos are a hit and can really increase your exposure and engagement.
Using your stories on both Facebook and IG allows you to bring some authenticity and spontaneity to your social media. Fans love getting a glimpse into your everyday life and since they don’t stay up forever, FOMO keeps them coming back to check before they are gone for good.
6. Hashtags:
The best way to be seen on Instagram is to add hashtags. Non-followers can see your content when they search for a hashtag that you’ve used in your content. They can also help you with your branding to curate user-generated content. The maximum number of hashtags you can use is 30. It’s suggested to use all 30 hashtags. Make sure to add tags that are relevant to your brand, content and business.
7. Facebook Groups:
Groups are a great way to connect with your ideal clients and customers. It is important to know the difference between Facebook groups and Facebook pages. A page is used to create a public appearance for your business, while Facebook groups are intended to create a private community where everyone can engage and connect. Find groups where your target audience would hang out. Don’t spam with sales but find ways to be helpful, encourage and get to know members of the group.
With billions of users on different platforms, social media has the potential to be a goldmine in finding customers and clients. Remember, you do not have to do everything at once. Make a plan, start small and build your social media network and marketing strategy over time. Also remember….consistency is important! Don’t post all the time and then drop off the face of the (social media) earth. It will just confuse your audience. Decide what is reasonable for you…maybe that is just posting on Facebook 3x a week. Maybe that is posting on all your platforms 5x a week…it doesn’t matter where you are in the journey just make sure you stay consistent and show up where your audience is expecting to find you.