Build Relationships

In traditional advertising, you put up a billboard, run an ad in a newspaper or invest in a commercial that airs on a local TV station. These methods require the advertiser to create a connection using images and sales copy, but once it's out in front of the public, there isn't a lot of interaction that takes place afterward. Social media is social. That means you're expected to engage with your followers, not just post every few days and never look at it again. Your social media posts are a way to connect with potential customers and build brand awareness. It can also help make you aware of dissatisfied clients so you can mend the relationship. It can show others you're trustworthy and that you care about your customers enough to take the time to address their issue publicly. Don't waste the opportunity to build lasting relationships, if you are successful, then you'll have a large team of loyal return customers. 

Use Social Sharing Tools on Your Website

It's important to integrate social sharing tools into your website's pages. There should be buttons with direct links to your social profiles so that your customers can follow you on their favorite platforms. You should also be sure to have links to your website on all your social media profiles as well, so that followers can easily find out more about what you offer. Also, anytime you publish a blog post or product page, be sure to add social sharing tools so that people who find your page can share it to their own social media channels with the touch of a button. Doing so will help others spread awareness of your brand. 

Be consistent Across All Platforms

Make sure that your branding and information is the same throughout all your profiles. You want to make sure that your message is cohesive and easily recognizable from all social channels. Someone who follows you on Facebook, should see your profile on Pinterest or Linked In and instantly identify your brand. If you have different images, logos or info then your customers might get confused. 

Integrate Keywords in Profiles

Some people may think that using keywords is only for pay-per-click advertising or website content. However, your social media profiles can also appear on search engine result pages if you use keywords wisely. It can be even more potent if you can tactfully use a keyword in your profile or page name. Remember, don't overdo it. You don't want to come across as a spammer and scare away potential followers. If you keep your keywords targeted specifically toward your ideal customer, then you might attract a lot more traffic. 

Use Hashtags and Keywords in Posts

The same goes for your social media posts as well. Using the right keywords in a post can help not only in search engine results, but can help your individual posts get more attention as well. For some platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, hashtags can help people find you when they're looking for a post about a certain topic. When you create a post, especially one that links back to your website, be sure to use keywords and hashtags to your advantage. Doing so will make every post an opportunity to widen your reach and generate interest in your company or brand. 

Brand Your Images

Most social media accounts are largely visual based. People don't have a lot of time anymore. They often jump on Facebook or Instagram to do a quick check in, scroll through the feed for a few minutes and then move along. If you want to catch their attention, having quality images is vital. However, if you want to make a memorable impact with potential customers, you'll want to brand your images. This can be done by including a logo or web address somewhere in the image. It's also a good idea to settle on a consistent layout and color scheme as well. Pinterest and Instagram are extremely visual oriented, and your followers are more likely to single your post out from the others if they can instantly recognize that it belongs to your blog or business. 

Maintain Control Over Your Accounts

Small business owners wear many hats and have a very busy schedule. To keep up with their responsibilities, they sometimes delegate social media efforts to other employees. While this is an understandable way to cope with managing your tasks, it's important that you maintain control over the accounts. If you let an employee set up all your profiles under their email accounts, or if they are the only ones who know the passwords, imagine what a nightmare it could be if they leave and you lose access to all your social media channels. You would have a hard time closing all your accounts and starting over, and it would be terrible for SEO if you had duplicate accounts. Also, in the case of a disgruntled worker, you don't want anyone to be able to post under your company profile without your consent. 

Let iBoost Help Manage Your Social Media

If you are a business owner or manager with too much on your plate, the team at iBoost is here for you. We are experienced at helping businesses use social media to attract more customers, so you can save your valuable time. Give us a call today and find out how iBoost can help your company grow.