How to Make Social Media Work For You
Social media has taken the world by storm. So many people use social networking sites, you’d be silly to avoid using social media as a tool to help your business. However, not everyone is “good” at social media, which is where we step in. Our team works hard to manage your business’ social media sites, so you don’t have to. And even if you think the time has passed to join social sites, it’s never too late to get in the game. Here are some tips to make social media work for you, and not the other way around.
Have Goals
Goals are important for the success of any new venture. The best kinds of goals are SMART goals. SMART goals are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
For instance, a SMART goal related to your business’s social media might look like:
- Increase Instagram followers by 100 in six months
This goal is specific to a platform, offers a numerical value to measure up against, is doable and relevant to social media growth, and sets up a time frame to establish that goal. Bottom line, if you don’t have any goals, you may find yourself lost or stuck aimlessly scrolling, looking for inspiration (we’ve all been there).
Set Up for Success
Before you get posting, it’s a good idea to have a game plan. Having a plan will make the process easier, so you’re not winging it every day. Research some social media strategies, create templates for posting, and have some ideas ready so you’re not struggling for content. Use folders to your advantage! Keeping like content together in one spot is much more manageable than scrolling through your camera roll looking for a particular photo.
Find a system that works for you
There are so many different tools for social media management. If you’re trying to manage your business’s social media accounts, posting manually is going to feel like a chore, especially if you’re posting every day (which we recommend). Sites like Hootsuite, Agorapulse, Loomly, Sprout, and SocialPilot can make managing your posts easy. These sites are here for a reason. Having a system that you enjoy working with will make social media management less of a burden.
Perseverance is the name of the game
Now that you’ve got a plan and some tools to work with, stick with it! Social media can be a great way to keep your business on the mind of your customers. Follow through on your system – consistency is key. Posting consistently and often will show your audience that you’re available. Social media can be quite a commitment, but if you follow through, you can see the rewards of your efforts.
Know your platform
If you know who your target audience is, you know where to find them, and how to engage with them. For instance, if you’re trying to reach middle-aged adults such as homeowners, with text-based posts, Facebook is your bet. If you’re targeting a younger demographic like Millennials and Gen Z-ers, Instagram and Twitter are safest. TikTok has grown quite a bit recently, and several industries have been impacted by that growth such as music and clothing. If you’re marketing to professionals, LinkedIn is your best bet. Each of these platforms has different benefits and drawbacks. For instance, Instagram requires a visual component and Twitter has a character limit. If you know your audience, you should know your platform.
Keep what works
Not every strategy is going to work for you. Some posts are going to do better than others. That’s normal! The system you choose to manage your accounts should have a tool that will show you how your posts are performing. Finding out the best way to run your social media takes time. If a strategy isn’t working out for you – stop doing it. However, don’t expect instant results. If you’ve given a certain tactic time to work its magic, but you’re not so enchanted, it might be time to look at other options. If you are constantly battling with your social media management, it’s going to become something you resent. And your audience will be able to tell if you hate what you’re doing.
Content ideas
It’s easy for businesses to look impersonal online. Corporations have made efforts to look more human recently to relate to consumers. While social media is a great branding tool, behind-the-scenes content is a good way to show your audience there is a person involved with the business. Whether it be photos of a team-building exercise or examples of work, giving your customers a sneak peek will show them a personal side of your business.
Our Final Thoughts
Hopefully his article made you feel a little more confident about using social media to benefit your business. There are several tools at your disposal, and a thoughtfully crafted plan should set you up for success. Here at Nuvo, we understand that managing social media accounts can be a big commitment. Lucky for you, we’re not shy about commitment. We are passionate about our clients’ satisfaction, which is why we offer marketing strategy consultations. We can help you find your target audience and give you insight into which post types to start with. In addition to this, we can build and manage your website! Call 314-820-2552 to get started.