Socal media is hard to ignore these days. Just looking at the statistics alone, any business owner should understand why it is critical to have a presence on social media. There are now 7.2 billion people on the planet. Of that number of people, there are just over 3 billion active Internet users. Nearly 2.1 billion people have social media accounts. Facebook is now 11 years old with 1.35 billion active users. Many people thought it would be a fad that only lasted a few years. Time has proved them wrong. Google+ has 363 million users, Twitter has 284 million active users and Instagram has 300 million users. Considering the fact that social media is here to stay, it stands to reason that small business owners need to figure out how to utilize, optimize and monetize social media to their benefit.
The key to having an effective social media strategy is knowing the reason why you’re using social media and establishing S.M.A.R.T. goals around your social media platforms. Of course your goals should be strategic, measurable, action oriented, realistic and time-bound. Understanding what your company wants and needs to achieve from social media is critical. Once you have established your goals, you will need to let people know you’re out there…..as many people as possible. With that said, you must grow your social media followers in order to make an impact.
There are a few strategies to use that will effectively grow your social media following. Below I’ve listed the top 4 strategies that are straight forward and basic yet very effective.
1. Be Social
It’s so simple it may even sound stupid. However, sometimes the most simple ideas are the ones we overlook. Social is half of the term social media and yet many companies and brands do not realize that being social means having a conversation and initating dialogue. If you’re looking to grow your social media following, you must communicate with your target audience as if you’re at a party or a social event. Don’t try to do to any selling before you’ve taken the time to get to know your followers. Your brand must appear approachable, likeable and authentic in order to win over new fans and followers. Here’s the last tip about being social on social media, don’t be a social media snob.
2. Cross Promote Your Social Media Pages
If you are on multiple social media platforms, cross promote each platform on the other one. Do specific posts or updates that request your followers to connect with you on a different social media outlet. Let your audience know what’s going on, on each social media platform that you use. For example, if you have a Instagram account promote it on Facebook and vice verse.
3. Schedule Your Posts & Know Your Numbers
It’s important to talk to your followers when they are on-line looking for you. Your posts, tweets and updates should arrive at high peak, high traffic times based on when the majority of your audience is on line. Every social media platform offers metrics, insights and analytics that show you when your fans and followers are engaging with your page. If you spend some time researching at what point of the day that you get the highest level of engagement, it will be easier for you to schedule your posts and make the most of your social media presence. There is a resource called Simply Measured that helps you plan and measure your social media strategy. Simply Measured, is a leading social media analytics platform that provides in-depth measurement and reporting across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and many more.
4. Have a Social Media Strategy
Social media is a marketing strategy that actually requires planning in order to be effective. You need a plan of action for using social media to grow your business. Figure out what goals you want to accomplish on social media and then go about using specific actions to help you reach your goals. For example, if your goal is to use social media to grow your email list, you should have a method for your fans and followers to join your mailing list as soon as they connect with that specific social media page. Whatever your reason for using social media, make sure you have metrics for determining how well your social media is working and what needs to be improved upon.
Social media can be very effective for growing brand awareness, generating leads, promoting a product or service and getting customer feedback and engagement. If you want to use social media as a method for marketing your business, make sure you’re using social media the smart way.
Source for Internet stats: wearesocial.net
© 2015 Quality Media Consultant Group LLC – All Rights Reserved
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Lori A. Manns is an award-winning, marketing, sales coach and business strategist who works with small business owners to help them elevate their brand, get more clients and grow revenue. Lori A. Manns is CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group and founder of the Trailblazer Business Academy™ where advancing entrepreneurs go to learn business growth strategies the soulful way. Lori is also the creator of Sponsorship Sales Secrets System;™ that shows you how to get more sponsors and sales for your business, guaranteed. To purchase consulting services on marketing, advertising or sales and, learn how to increase your revenue and grow your business; please visit the start here page on www.qualitymediaconsultants.com.