Social media marketing tips for small businesses
Marketing
With eight in ten people logging on daily, social media is a vital part of any business strategy. And it’s easy to understand why. Social media is an efficient and effective way to reach customers who love your brand and introduce new customers to your business. By following these simple tips, you’ll enter new markets, create brand awareness and increase sales.
#1 Develop a social strategy
As organic posts on social media are free, it can be tempting to post as much as possible. However, as with any business, it’s essential to have a plan. If not, there’s no way to track your results. Your strategy should include:
• Clear objectives and goals
• Examine your competitors
• Evaluate current social media efforts, and;
• Create a social media schedule (i.e. what to post and when)
#2 Choose the right platforms
When developing your strategy, ensure you conduct research into where your customers spend most of their time online. Although it’s being widely reported that millennials are shunning Facebook, for instance, research is showing that 84% of this age group still uses the platform almost daily. So, conduct an audit to discover the platforms your audience prefers. This ensures you’re getting the most out of your social media efforts.
#3 Build relationships
Your audience should be the centre of your marketing strategy. Before creating your social media pages, identify which demographic(s) you want to reach. Which socioeconomic group are they in? How old are they? What are their interests? Once you can answer questions like these, you can create a targeted online marketing strategy for this audience.
#4 Accept feedback
Positive or negative, reviews are a valuable way to gain exposure online. This engagement gives you the chance to respond to customer feedback and concerns in a timely fashion. Swift, detailed responses also allow you to establish credibility and trust with your audience. And, it will make your customers more likely to recommend your products/services to friends and family.
#5 Opt for quality over quantity
From blogs, to Instagram Stories, Twitter Moments and more, there’s a wide range of social media marketing techniques to choose from. However, not all of these will suit every business. To effectively reach your audience, research what the content they search for and what your competitors are doing. The correct content mix will entice your audience to return and broaden your customer base.
For more advice on creating your social media marketing strategy, call or email the Capstone Marketing team today.