The goal here isn’t to copycat or steal your competitors’ ideas. No two companies’ social media marketing strategies can be (or should be) the same. Instead, determine what’s working for them and what conclusions you can draw to adapt your own campaigns accordingly. There are plenty of other sources of valuable audience data to supplement your social media insights. This includes your Google and email analytics, your CRM, your customer service platform or even your best-selling products.
Mikos Adams, a social media and marketing coach and an Adobe Express Ambassador, says small businesses don’t have to reinvent the wheel to drive growth on social. Knowing who your target audience may be will help you determine the type of content you need to create and how it will need to be displayed on social media. Simple and straightforward, X is a solid starting point for most businesses.
Running a small business means wearing many hats, including managing your social media accounts. With the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing, it can be challenging to keep up with the demands of staying active on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. So, how do small business owners keep their social media active?
Twitter is an excellent way to send messages and interact with your local community. Hashtags allow you to connect your tweet to an individual subject, without having to add an extensive introduction. It’s being used to tweet about television shows like #GoT or cities like #Seattle. Especially adding your town’s name to a tweet will get you local attention. We can confirm this works even for #Wijchen, the small town where we’re located. This is all to say that you don’t have to jump on every trend when it first appears, that’s not the recommendation here.
Consistency is Key
One of the most important aspects of maintaining an active social media presence is consistency. Posting regularly not only keeps your audience engaged but also helps boost your visibility in algorithms. Whether it’s daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, setting a schedule and sticking to it can make a significant difference in your online presence.
Engage with Your Audience
You’ll need a more professional approach, where you will be able to show your expertise. So, in that case, LinkedIn could be a more appropriate platform. Growing your social media presence as a small business is an exciting time. Use these tools to get you on track and remember, slow and steady always wins the race.
If viewers see something they like about your brand, they can easily share posts with friends via their own Instagram accounts or through direct messages. Social media platforms allow small businesses to drive traffic to their website. For instance, on Instagram, you can post the URL to your website in your account bio and direct users to this link via a post on your feed or story.
Interacting with your followers is crucial for building relationships and establishing trust. Responding to comments, messages, and mentions shows that you value your customers and care about their feedback. It also encourages more interaction on your posts, leading to increased visibility and reach.
- Respond to comments and messages promptly
- Like and share user-generated content
- Run polls or contests to encourage engagement
Utilize Scheduling Tools
Managing social media can be time-consuming, especially for small business owners juggling multiple tasks. Using scheduling tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social can help you plan and automate your posts ahead of time. This way, you can stay active on social media without spending hours each day crafting and publishing content.
- Create a content calendar
- Schedule posts for optimal times
- Monitor analytics to track performance
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do you spend on your social media every day?
While the amount of time spent on social media varies from business to business, dedicating at least 30 minutes to an hour each day can help you stay active and engaged with your audience. It’s essential to find a balance that works for you and your business goals.
What content performs best on social media for small businesses?
High-quality visuals, informative blogs, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and customer testimonials tend to perform well on social media for small businesses. Experimenting with different types of content and analyzing what resonates with your audience can help you tailor your strategy for maximum impact.