Well done on starting up a new business or expanding your current venture. You’re improving the health of our communities, so we hope you do well. That’s why we wrote this primer on using social media for business purposes.
As a relatively low-cost marketing strategy, social media has the potential to significantly increase brand recognition and customer loyalty. If you didn’t already know it, you wouldn’t be reading this blog, and neither do we.
The challenge is that you might not know where to begin or how to maximise social media’s potential for your startup or small business. We’ll cover the basics of social media marketing and help you put together a solid plan for using these platforms right away.
Exactly what is “social media marketing,” and why do you need one, anyway?
Putting it plainly, social media marketing is the practise of utilising social media platforms to increase brand visibility and engagement. You can think of a social media strategy as a set of guidelines that include:
The absence of a strategy can cause confusion. You won’t feel the need to post something simply to fill space (we’ve all been there) because of this feature. So, what does that lead to?
Getting to your destination will be a lot less of a hassle.
Marketing in the Social Media Age: A Primer
You should have a better understanding of social media marketing strategies now. You’ve also learned the 5 essential questions every social media plan must address. So, now what?
If we didn’t go over each stage in a little more depth, then it wouldn’t be a social media marketing 101 guide.
Accordingly, read on.
Discover who you’re talking to by answering this question.
Everything you do in marketing, including social media marketing, should be done with the customer in mind.
In order to write content that resonates with your target market, you should learn as much as possible about them. What websites do they frequent, what kinds of content do they like to read, and what kinds of discussions do they take part in?
When used properly, social media can be an extremely effective means of communicating with customers. Just what do we mean when we say “properly”?
Simple. Get people talking, establish credibility, and demonstrate your ability to help them by utilising social media. Don’t use social media to boast about yourself nonstop.
The answer to the question “Do I get to talk about myself?” is yes. We’re aware that this is something you have to do occasionally. Then, do it in a way that demonstrates your ability to assist clients and the worth you bring to the table.
Create a brand voice that your target market can identify with instead of just talking about the product. By providing witty retorts to comments made about the Casper brand, for instance, the company has successfully increased consumer awareness and positive sentiment towards the Casper product line.
What You Should Do: Determine Your Goals
You need to have a clear idea of your end goal before you can develop content and a strategy that will help you get there.
Bead generation, sales, website traffic, engagement, increasing brand advocacy, enhancing public relations, and constructing a loyal fan base are just a few examples of attainable objectives.
However, when developing a marketing plan for a small company, it is essential to focus on a single objective.
You may be wondering, “How?” It’s simple: just figure out what parts of your marketing strategy are weakest and where strengthening those parts will have the greatest effect.
Your social media marketing 101 strategy can reach for the stars once you’ve made headway towards your initial goal.
Where to Find It: Tune in to the Proper Channel (s)
At this point, you have a firm grasp on your ideal clientele, their passions, and your goals. The next step is to decide which social media platform is most suitable for your company’s needs.
You can now use the information you’ve gathered to choose the best platform(s) to implement your strategy on.
So, if you’re a cosmetics company, you might promote your products on YouTube and Instagram, or even collaborate with an influencer. Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr are the most likely choices for a visual-based business like an interior design studio. Your target market can be found on LinkedIn and even Instagram if you run a business-to-business enterprise.
Use Glossier as a model. Instagram was used extensively as the company sought to expand their brand and fan base. After only six years in business, the company grew from making no money to earning $100 million.
In this way, you can see how each subsequent step in your strategy is dependent on and builds upon your understanding of your target market. Keep in mind that the first attempt need not be perfect. Start small, keep track of your progress, and tweak your approach as needed until you reach your goals.
Keep in mind that there is no quick way to become popular on social media. This social media marketing primer is meant to serve as a springboard for further exploration beyond the recommended methods presented here. As soon as you begin using social media for your startup or small business, collect data and adjust your strategy to maximise your efforts.