What You Should Know About Using Social Media For Your Business

The power of social media is undeniable and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. So what makes it a useful tool for growing your businesses and boosting your sales?

According to recent studies, nearly three-quarters of Americans use social media which makes it a vital component of an effective business strategy. Social media is one of the best tools to reach people who already support your business. It is also critical for connecting with those who haven’t heard about your brand yet. Getting started with social media doesn’t have to be expensive or scary. Let’s go over some vital information that you should know about using social media for your business.

1. Start With a Plan

Social media platforms are easy to use and you can post content for free. However, before you post anything you have to start with a solid plan so you can reap the many benefits it offers. Having a plan makes it easier to achieve your goals because you know what you want from the beginning. Furthermore, you can also measure the results. Do take time to create a social media plan from the start. This ensures that all your efforts are geared towards accomplishing specific goals.

Here are some useful social media tips on creating a solid social media marketing strategy:

Set goals and objectives

Follow the SMART framework. Your goals and objectives should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. Goals should be based on metrics that will have a significant impact on your brand. For example, aim to raise your conversion rate or acquire customers, rather than simply collecting likes or shares.

• Research about your competition

Check how your competitors use social media. You don’t have to copy them, instead, learn from them. Learning from what they have done is an excellent way to shorten your learning curve. Doing a competitive analysis can teach you what’s working and what’s not for brands similar to yours.

• Use a social media calendar

Creating a social media calendar helps you post the right content to the right social platforms at the right time. You must include a plan for your content mix. Start with the 80-20 rule. 80% of your content should be used to educate, inform, or entertain your audience. As for the remaining 20%, use it to promote your business or sell your products.

• Conduct social media audits

Are you already using social sites? Then now is the time to take a step back and assess your efforts. Remember, to look for impostor accounts that are capitalizing on your online reputation. There are easy-to-use social media audit tools that can help you in this process.

2. Select the right social platform for you

Never make assumptions about where your target audience is online. Likewise, use your instinct to figure out which demographic you’re targeting or if you should skip Instagram and focus on LinkedIn and Facebook. Study demographics data for all of the major social platforms. It will help determine where your audience spends their time online. Take note that these demographics are just an overview and you should still use your discretion.

3. Study your audience

Using social media for business is very effective because you can micro-target your audience. The first step is to know who your audience is. Start by collecting data on your current customer base. Then, dig deeper using social media analytics. This will give you a clear idea of who’s buying from and engaging with you online.

4. Foster Relationships

The cool thing about social media marketing is that you can talk directly to your followers and customers. It also allows you to build relationships over time, instead of asking for a sale upfront. So when people engage with your ads or content, it’s an excellent idea to engage back. It not only builds trust but also encourages a loyal following.

Social media marketing offers a lot of wonderful benefits when done the right way. It helps build your brand, nurture relationships with customers, and it can even increase your revenue. Remember, to offer content that gives value to your audience so that you’ll earn their trust and continuous support.

Are you thinking of launching an awesome social media marketing strategy? Reach out and book a free consultation with one of our social media experts here.