Be Social: Uncover the Perks of Social Media for Your Business

Social media marketing is a dynamic and powerful way for businesses of all sizes to reach prospects and customers.

People discover, learn about, follow, and shop from brands on social media. If you’re not on social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, your business is missing out on an array of new customers.

Strategic marketing on social media can lead to impressive profits for your company, creating devoted brand advocates, and even driving leads and sales. Erfolk Digital Marketing Agency uncovers the benefits of using social media for your business.

Social media is used by people to interact in virtual communities and networks in which they create, share, and/or exchange knowledge and ideas.

Social media provides proof through your interactions that search can independently corroborate. It creates a strong “social signature” of your business that acquires value over time, augmenting your expertise, authority, and trustworthiness.

Social media helps build brand recognition that boosts trust in your brand.

The value of social media for your business is limited only by the time and energy your business invests in a social media presence.

First Steps to Create Your Social Media Presence

Social media is about conversations, community, connecting with the audience, and building relationships. There is more to it than a traditional marketing broadcast channel or a sales and marketing tool. Honesty, authenticity, and open communication are crucial as you share information.

Your ability to respond to what others say about you is also enhanced by social media. Listen first to what consumers have to say in response to your posts. Respond with on-brand messages.

You’ll help everyone who visits your social media platform understand more about your business. And you’ll indicate your willingness to communicate one-on-one with consumers. Keep this two-way communication in mind as you create your photo, bio, and every post.

Your Image and Bio

You have only one chance for a first impression. That adage is true for your image and bio on a social media platform. As part of your digital marketing strategies, selecting images to represent your business is vital for grabbing attention on social media.

Use an image that not only represents your business but is instantly recognizable as connected to your company. Rather than an image of the president, use your company logo. You’ll brand every post you create.

Some social media platforms have limited space for your business bio, like Twitter and Instagram. Think carefully about how you want to use that character limit. Use power words that represent your business rather than sentences. Use words that reflect your brand values.

Break down your bio into snippets of information.

1. Start with a short tagline, perhaps three words that describe what your business does.

2. Follow with a short CV. For example, trusted by investors since 1976.

3. If you have a relationship with a large, well-known brand, mention it briefly. Join clients like [big brand one] and [big brand two].

4. Reinforce with a benefit. Accounting without an accountant. Strategies that keep investments safe.

5. Include a link. Depending on your goal it may be to your website or a link to join your email newsletter. Some social media platforms allow multiple links. For those that don’t you can choose a link-to-bio app where you create a landing page with multiple links. Current examples are Shorby and Linktree.

Visitors can select from the links on the app landing page. For example, choose between your website, your blog, or a current sale.

Once you create a dynamic first impression, begin posting.

Social Media Posting Strategies for Business

Your business posting strategy depends on how you want to connect with consumers and on which platform or platforms you use.

Facebook and Instagram are closed platforms that won’t give you much Search Engine Optimization (SEO) boost, but are popular with consumers who expect you to engage. Other platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter are open, providing additional data about your business for search engines like Google.

Think small information bits. Don’t try to say everything in a social media post. Give a tidbit, then follow up with more tidbits in additional posts. Use visuals. Social media posts flow in a stream. Visuals capture audience attention. Strong, eye-catching images work. Use text in images to state the topic. Videos work well on social media. Make them short and focused. Respond to comments. Social media platforms are social. Your audience expects you to respond. Audience engagement is the way to use social media to connect one-on-one with prospects, customers, and clients. Acknowledge every share. Every time someone shares one of your posts, follow through, like their share, and comment with a thank you. Use the limited space to add another benefit.

Think engagement from designing your image to the text you write. Then follow up with every engagement.

Commit to Your Business Presence

Social media is not one and done like a website page. You’ll need to commit to a regular posting schedule with a backup of text, images, and video to create post content.

Make a list of your brand values. Use value words like “positive,” “playful,” “engaging,” and the like to craft a profile of your business character. Decide which social media platforms are right for your business presence. Evaluate which type of content reflects your brand values on the social media platform Create a reasonable schedule. You could post on social media 24/7, so you need to allocate time and resources according to your budget. Make a list of all the problems your product or service solves for your customer base. Match the brand value words with your product(s) or service(s). Make certain the words match the solution you offer your clients. Select your brand tone. Match the tone to not only reflect your business but to engage your target audience.

Test and Measure

Almost every social media platform provides data about your interactions. Use this data to refine your social media strategy as part of your digital marketing efforts.

Use data to determine which posts get the most interaction, like comments and shares. Create more of those. Discover which shares lead people to click on your link bio. Create more of those. Evaluate your social media budget. Make sure your social media budget aligns with your overall marketing budget. Someone needs to follow up on all posts and engage with customers. Monitor your results on a regular basis. Use the data to make decisions about your overall social media goals, like content creation, posting, and engagement. Balance direct responses with brand awareness.

Your presence on social media builds brand awareness as people become aware of your products or services. Enthusiastic customers and clients will follow you, engage, and share your material.

Show your business personality by avoiding dry facts and using engaging content to pique interest.

Social media followers expect engagement. So be the business with the personality that engages with people on social media.

A vibrant social media presence requires commitment, dedication, responsiveness, and a willingness to be open about your business. Go where the people are and get results.