How to Use Social Media for Small Business- 8 Simple Tips
January 16, 2022
How to Use Social Media for Small Business- 8 Simple Tips
Over the last decade, the use of social media platforms has
grown exponentially. As the user rate is expected to continue rising, it is
anticipated to reach nearly 4.41 billion by 2025. With the constant rise in
popularity, more business owners are joining a variety of social media
platforms. Are you unsure where you should begin? Here are 8 tips on how you
can make social media work for your small business in 2022.
1.) Begin with a plan
Before jumping into the world of social media for your small
business, you need a plan. Like any other area of your business, you establish
goals and get a sense of what you want to accomplish before beginning. The same
is to be done with your social media. You may start with a goal of establishing
a presence on social media and then reevaluate as you begin to build your
following. The goals you create for social media can change and grow as your
brand does. Some examples of your social media goals can include building brand
awareness, increasing your engagement, establishing a solid online presence, or
generating new leads. Understanding what goals you have for your small business
on social media can help you determine other strategies, like running Facebook
Ads. Based on the goals you have outlined for your social media, you can begin
analyzing your current online presence to see where you are starting and what
direction you will be headed toward.
2.) Conduct an Audit
The next tip for running your social media is to conduct a
social media audit. Performing a social media audit will give you a better
sense of where you are starting and how you can improve. During this process
you should take note of which social media platforms you have accounts on, the
number of followers each account has, and assess the brand on each account. Do
you have your logo or something relevant to your brand set as your profile
picture on all accounts? Keeping your branding consistent across the different
social media platforms will help your audience better understand your small
business and brand.
During your audit, take time to listen to your audience and
competitors. You can see what has worked well for them to help you draw
inspiration for your own social media accounts. Listening to your customers can
also help establish rapport between your small business and your customers.
3.) Pick Your Platforms
There are many options when it comes to deciding which
social media platforms to use. Your business does not have to be limited to one
but understanding which platforms your target audience uses the most frequently
will allow your small business to concentrate its efforts more efficiently. For
example, based on who your business serves, Facebook could be better for
sharing content with your clients than TikTok. Based on your target audience
and the goals you have for social media, concentrating on the most relevant
platforms will be most beneficial for your small business.
4.) Know your Audience
Your social media can be the best in the business, but if
you are not reaching your target audience, you will not see results. To
understand who will be looking at your content, ask yourself who does your
business serve? Do you offer services nationwide or within a certain geographic
location? Will you be communicating with a community or the general public?
Will you be speaking to experts within your field? Based on who you will be
speaking to will determine both your messaging strategies and your tone of
voice. Deciding who your audience is will help you customize your content.
5.) Build Relationships
Social media is unique in how it allows small businesses to
communicate with their customers. Social media platforms allow two-way
communication between your small business and clients in real time. Engaging
and sharing customer generated content and replying to comments is a great
place to start. This shows your customers your business takes the time to
listen.
6.) Provide value to your customers
Finding a balance between your branded content and informative content will make your social media presence stand out. Providing value to your customers can be done in different ways including, knowledge, discount codes, or free products. Providing value on your social media platforms helps your small brand show how valuable the product or service you provide is. This can help create more awareness around your brand and begin to build a more solid following on your social media accounts.
7.) Consistency is Key
Social media is no exception to consistency. It is important
to post and post frequently. Finding the balance between quality and quantity
can be difficult. While it is important to post and post often, your small
business should avoid flooding social media with content. By posting at
different times throughout the week, you can reach people within your audience
effectively without overloading them with information.
When posting content on social media, keeping your branding
consistent is also important. Using the same branding across the different
media will make your content more cohesive. This includes consistently using
the same fonts, colors, and style. Keeping the same style across your different
social media platforms will also aid in brand recall and recognition.
8.) Use Variety
It can be easy to get stuck in a rut with posting the same
content. While keeping your brand consistent on social media, it is important
to post creative content to help make your small business stand out. Using a
mixture of videos, images, and graphics will keep your audience engaged with
your content. Don't be afraid to try new trends and mix it up!
As a small business owner, managing your social media
content can often be forgotten or set to the side for later. At Hyperchat
Social, our team of experts understands the importance of your small business
and we want to help you convey it across social media. Running your business's
social media accounts requires strategy, content, dedicated time, and long-term
commitment. Our team of experts can help you achieve your social media goals
with a customized strategy. Book a free consultation today to see how we can
help your social media strategy go from good to great!
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