Social Media is Hard, but Necessary. Learn How to Get Started Like a Pro Today
Jumping into social media for your brand? It’s scary business, going outside your comfort zone, right?
You have a personal Facebook page. You’ve seen videos on YouTube and you receive celebrity tweets. You know what it’s all about. From a consumer’s standpoint, that is. Once you became an entrepreneur, you realized that the perspective is quite a bit different from the other side.
You know you need social media to attract customers, but where do you even begin?
How do you gain traction?
Here are a few tips to help you get started with social media marketing for your business:
1. Have a purpose.
Consider your purpose for diving into social media.
Do you want to make connections?
Do you want to share updates of your blog content?
Think of your end goal and how you could use social media to get there. Then, based on that, make a detailed social media plan and stick to it.
2. Have a plan.
Not all social media platforms are created equal. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as target demographics.
Find out which ones best meet your needs and then create strategies for each independently.
3. Create a strong profile.
Fill out your profile completely and include relevant details for your followers. Use an appropriately professional image and update details as needed.
4. Put yourself out there!
Send out an email to your whole contact list announcing your new social media profile.
Add “like” or “follow me” buttons to your website and let people know where to find you. Engage on other pages, and those people will follow you back to engage on yours.
5. Let’s say it again: Engage!
Get out there and comment on posts, pictures, videos, etc. that relate to your business.And don’t keep it one-sided.Make sure to respond to comments made on your page. People won’t return if they think no one’s listening.
6. Share readily.
Sharing the content of others can also help generate a strong fan base. People appreciate having their reach widened and will reciprocate in kind, sharing and getting your material in front of more potential customers as well.
7. It’s not all about you.
While people love to hear from their favorite brands and receive their updates, the focus should always be on providing value. Keep your focus on sharing helpful information and avoiding blatant self-promotion.
8. Keep it coming.
Consistent messaging will build your reputation and maintain your exposure. If you keep putting your message out there, people will begin to see you as an influence in your industry and look to you when they need your products or services.
9. Be Patient.
Social media success takes time. Unless you already have a well-established online presence, you probably won’t get instant results. Don’t worry and don’t give up. Keep making connections and building your list. Eventually, all of your hard work will pay off.
Remember, social media is like a snowball rolling down a hill. Expect slow results at first, but once you get going, you will really gain momentum and begin attracting fans exponentially. Keep steady and focused, and you’ll be seeing the benefits soon.