Most businesses are using Social Media Marketing as part of their marketing efforts. And, why wouldn’t they? With social media usage on the rise, it’s important for businesses to use Social Media Marketing to reach people. Whether you think social media is a huge time waster for people or not, you have to admit that it’s where consumer attention is now. And, because it’s where consumer attention is, Social Media can help your business. When planning how to utilize Social Media for your business, it’s important to understand HOW Social Media Marketing works.

 

 

A business can build its brand recognition in many ways with the right Social Media Marketing efforts. Both national brands and small businesses post on social media to build brand recognition and drive sales. Some Social Media content ideas include providing more information about a product or service including demonstrating how to use a product or service you offer. For more ideas, visit 90 SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT IDEAS.

 

 

A sense of community or belonging is crucial for a small business. To build a community on Social Media, you need to share content that people can connect with. And, it cannot be one-way communications. In other words, you cannot just post and forget it. You need to engage your audience by encouraging comments and responding to comments. One way to help build community on Facebook is to start a Facebook Group. For more information, visit WHY YOU SHOULD START A FACEBOOK GROUP FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

 

 

 

Social Media posts are a great place to give your business a human face and personality. It’s much harder to do this with traditional marketing channels, like radio and television. Messages on the radio and television are often very polished and professional. On Social Media, however, you can present a more relatable part of you and your business. And, this is easy to do on Social Media, especially with video. People will find you more genuine and believable if you’re not too perfect or polished on your Social Media posts. And, remember, people like to do business with people they can relate to. 

 

At my business, I’m currently doing “Winning Wednesday” videos every week on Facebook. I film a short video, announce what viewers could win, ask a question in the video, and ask them to comment with the answer to a question. Then, later that day I use an online random number generator to pick a winner. Believe me, these videos are not perfect. I don’t want them to be. I want people to feel like they are getting to know my personality and the atmosphere of my business when they view the videos. Plus, I want to engage my audience! If you go to Facebook and search #WinningWednesday you’ll find my videos and see exactly what I mean. If you aren’t comfortable in front of the camera, reach out to your team. You may have a staff member or even a family member or friend who can help with your videos.

 

 

 

Social Media is a great way to share knowledge and expertise in your field. There are various platforms that work well for this including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Whether you’re sharing “how to” information, tips, and tricks and simply demonstrating something, it will help build awareness of your knowledge. This, in turn, helps build your reputation.

 

 

How many times have you been cautioned about not putting all your eggs in one basket? The concept applies to many parts of your life, especially marketing your business. Twenty years ago, businesses wouldn’t have wanted to advertise only in the newspaper or only on television.  Today is similar.  You should use multiple channels to market your business. Not having all your eggs in one basket helps increase your exposure. And, repeat exposure is crucial for businesses. The more familiar people are with your business, the more likely they are to do business with you. Through repeated exposure to your marketing messages, consumers will be more likely to receive your messages, to feel positive about your business and, in turn, to do business with you. 

 

 

 

Since people spend so much time on Social Media, it’s often the first place they may discover your business and interact with your business. Then, that will often lead them to your website for more information and, if available, purchases of your products or services. While most people are on social media to be social and they don’t want to see messages that are “hard sells” you will still want to provide links to your website from time to time in your posts, especially if it will link to the area of your website that has more information about whatever your Social Media post is about. Also, make sure your Social Media profile on each platform has a link to your business website.

 

 

 

It’s hard to deny that Social media is essential for marketing businesses of all sizes. If in doubt, just check out this statistic from Sprout Social:  When consumers follow a business on social, 67% of consumers are more likely to spend more with that business, and 78% say they will visit that business’ physical location. 

 

Social media can help promote your products and services to both existing customers and potential customers. And, unlike traditional marketing mediums such as newspapers, radio, and television, social media allows you to connect with people in a more personal way.  With any marketing efforts, it’s important to have realistic expectations. For example, it’s unlikely that a Facebook post showing a customer and her dog shopping at your store will result in immediate sales. However, it will help promote your business as dog-friendly and will help humanize your business. The post will also promote community building and increase exposure. Remember, that people like to do business with people and businesses they’re comfortable with and who they can relate to. 

 

As you develop your Social Media content, remember HOW Social Media Marketing works and plan content that will build brand awareness, promote community building, humanize your business, help build authority, ensure repeat exposure AND increase website traffic. All of these things, in turn, will help increase your business!

 

 

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