These days, if your company isn’t on social media, the business may as well not exist. Many people turn to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and other social media outlets as their first point of reference for a business. However, simply creating a profile isn’t enough strategy to do much for your business. But, never fear, your certified business coaches are here to help! Here are five quick and easy strategies for boosting your business’s social media engagement.
Do you use questions to strategize social media engagement?
One of the easiest ways to engage your social media followers is by asking them a question. This can be as simple as adding a “What are your thoughts?” to the end of a post. By asking for your audience’s thoughts and opinions, you are showing that you value what they have to say. This not only engages your online followers but also helps to build trust, create a real relationship between you and your audience, and make them feel as if you are real people and not just a computer talking at them!
Images, Videos and Interactive Content on Social Media
In almost every case, a social media post that includes a photo, graphic, image or video of some kind is going to get more attention than one that only includes text. Research has shown that including a visual on Facebook can increase interaction by more than 80 percent! Feel free to get creative with the visuals you post. It doesn’t have to be a complex infographic every time. Try highlighting your employees with fun team member portraits or sharing photos from a recent company event. You can also engage your followers by asking them to add a caption to a photo you post or to share their own photos using a selected hashtag. Funny or relevant GIFs are another way to engage with your core audience. And don’t forget about video! Facebook and other social media platforms live video feature has been shown to provide an important tool for showcasing your business and what you’re doing on the day-to-day.
Social Media Contests, Giveaways and Campaigns
Nothing engages your followers, and most people, like the prospect of winning something or given something for free. Whether you’re giving away a prize or simply choosing a follower to recognize on your page, social media contests are a great way to lure activity and garner engagement. The great thing about creating your own social media contest is that you can make it whatever you want! For example, if you own a bakery, you could ask your followers to help you name your newest cupcake flavor. Perhaps whoever comes up with the best idea wins a gift certificate. You could also host a photo contest by asking your followers to post a photo showing how they use one of your products. Or, have people leave a picture of their dog in the comments of a “Happy Dog Day” post saying that the first person who does so will have one dog-gone good experience with one of your business coaching esperts. Keep in mind, this strategy is probably best left to the more widely-used networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, rather than the more professional LinkedIn network.
Social Media Scheduling Tools Are Your Friends
When it comes to posting on social media, consistency is key to success. However, as a busy business owner, it’s nearly impossible to find time every day of the week to post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. And when you finally do find the time, it may be in the middle of the night or early morning, when nobody is looking at social media. By using scheduling tools, such as the built-in tool on Facebook or an app like Hootsuite, Tweetdeck, Sprout Social or Buffer (do your research to find the one you’re most comfortable with) you can schedule all your posts for the week in one sitting and make sure they go out during peak engagement hours.
Personalize Your Social Media Page
Many people use social media as a way to locate and contact a business. Be sure you complete all information that can be displayed to others searching for you. On Facebook, Google+, Twitter and Instagram, be sure to add your general business service and location or locations where you ship. On LinkedIn, it is imperative to complete your profile, including Summary, Skills, Education and Experience portions. When someone asks a question about a product you posted about on a social post or sends you a tweet to tell you how much he or she enjoyed your service, don’t hesitate to respond! Your followers are engaging with you, so engage back! A simple reply shows your followers that you appreciate their business and will encourage them to continue engaging in the future. Also, be sure to “follow back” when someone follows you on Twitter, Instagram or Google+.
More Social Media Strategies from Certifed Business Coaches at ActionCOACH Tampa Bay
Implementing a good social media strategy is only the first step in increasing your business’s online presence. Want to learn more social media strategies? Contact ActionCOACH Tampa Bay today! Our experienced coaches have the tools, knowledge and proven tactics to help your business succeed.
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