Social media isn’t just for scrolling through on your phone when you’re bored; it’s a vital resource from small businesses. After all, it’s an effective way to get your name out there and raise brand awareness, considering how nearly 4.8 billion people use social media. But it’s not as easy as just taking a picture and adding some hashtags.
Here are a few tips to get you started with promoting yourself on social media.
Adapt to Different Platforms
Not all social media platforms are the same, and thus each forms its own audience. While there is overlap, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube each tend to appeal to certain age demographics, interests, and trends. In some ways it’s like each is its own ecosystem – some people can thrive and carve out their place in the food chain while others find the conditions inhospitable and must migrate elsewhere. As a business, it’s important that you pick the ones that best suit your needs and adapt accordingly.
It’s important to remember that each platform has its own needs. TikTok and Instagram require strong visual presentations – striking photos and videos are a must if you want to stand out. Facebook is an ideal platform for general information and promoting events. YouTube is excellent for both short and long-form videos. Twitter can be good for promotion and client interaction. All of this appeals to different audiences, so think about who you’re attempting to reach and focus on the platform or platforms that are most likely to reach them instead of trying to do it all.
Present Unique Content
You’re a busy person with a business to run, so when it comes to social media, it’s tempting to just keep posting the same blogs, graphics, and content twice a week and call it a day. Perhaps in the beginning, when you’re just starting out and your following is small, this is ok, but if you want to grow, you need to find a way to make your content stand out.
A good start is to highlight your products and show people what makes them unique, but in an easy, attention-grabbing way. Tag your photos and use popular but relevant hashtags. Offer incentives for followers to post pictures of themselves wearing or using your products.
A useful but underutilized form of content is behind-the-scenes footage. It’s a great way to humanize your business and help people connect. Post videos showing how your product is made. Highlight employees and tell their stories or post them doing the latest TikTok challenge. This allows your growing following to see you as more than just a faceless business or branded product and develop a sense of trust.
Have the Right People for the Job
Social media can be a tricky environment to navigate, so it’s important that you have the right person or people for the job. While the sites are easy enough that anyone with a phone can make a post, doing it professionally takes a whole other level of skill.
Looking to post a lot of content on Instagram? It might be wise to invest in someone with an eye for photography. Planning a series of YouTube or TikTok videos? Videography and editing skills are a massive plus.
Also be sure whomever you put in charge of your social media is engaging, passionate, and can handle pressure. They might have to field comments from customers, trolls, and bots, so be sure they know how to maintain professionalism while under fire.
As social media platforms become more influential, it’s important to keep up with the trends and not be left behind. If you use social media wisely, your small business can build its brand and even compete with the big names.
