Seven out of 10.
That’s how many Americans use social media. Your small business is missing out if you’re not taking advantage of the platforms.
With that many people online, there’s no excuse as to why you shouldn’t be on social media. Don’t worry, it’s easy to set up, get going, and rack up followers that’ll turn into paying customers.
If you’re done questioning how to use social media to grow your business, keep reading. Before you know it, your small biz will be one of the best in all of Chicago.
Choose Platforms Best Suited For Your Customer Base
Trying to be on all the social media platforms at once will only result in headaches, confusion, and inauthenticity. Customers want to know you took the time to craft posts suited for them, not just for the sake of posting.
That said, a good rule of thumb is to stick with one to three platforms, at least to begin with. When you start to grow, you can expand your choices with the help of social media management services.
Social Media Sites To Consider
Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest rely heavily on visuals. That’s where creating eye-catching posts is crucial to stop people from scrolling past.
Facebook is where almost everyone is at. It relies both on text and images. You can also create a page, where people can like and follow it to receive updates.
Get to know where your audience spends most of their time at. That’ll help you decide where to put your efforts into your social media marketing plan.
Get To Know Your Competitors
Spending some time a day to keep tabs on the competition is good practice. While they’re not your enemy, per se, it’s wise to keep them close.
See what works for them and what doesn’t.
Do they have a large following but little engagement? That means they’re not creating enough unique content to make people stop and interact with it.
It’s not about copying them but conducting smart competitive analysis to learn how you can get ahead of them. You won’t have to spend time worrying if you’re on the right track, you’ll know it first hand by learning from your competition.
Collaborate With Influencers
When spending time on social media scouting out the competition or learning where your customers are at, keep an eye out for the top influencers in your market too. They’re the ones with their finger on the pulse of what’s in.
That’s where you want to be, right at the forefront of their audience.
Now, there’s no wrong or right way to go about reaching out. However, it’s best to establish an honest relationship.
Comment on and like their posts so they’ll be familiar with your name. Then you can take the conversation to the DMs to ask if they’d like to collaborate.
Commit To Building Your Following
Social media, no matter how you look at it, is a commitment. Your presence on it won’t be something that grows overnight. It’s a slow-burn type of progress that requires 100 percent effort.
Consistency and quality is the name of the game. You need to focus on both if you want to build your following.
How To Use Social Media For Business Answered
No longer will you question how to use social media for business. If you keep with these tips, your small business will be on the tip of people’s tongues in all of Chicago.
Ready to take the first step toward your bright new future? Contact us today!
