Many businesses and brand know that they can use social media to reach and interact with their market. Below you will find some hints, tips and best practice ideas on how you can maximise these social media channels and get maximum value for your business and brand.

1. Understand the different platforms:

There is a science to social media. It is important to take the time to understand and know what each platform can do for you, and what it does for your fans/followers. An example of this is Twitter is a great platform for news feed type content, live tweeting an event is a great way to drive interaction as an share regular updates on what it happening in real time. Facebook is a solid, stable place to communicate information, video and images that you are able to hyper target through boosted posts. Instagram is a great platform to make use of stories, as a fun way to capture and share what you are doing as a brand with your followers.

There is no one size fits all approach to social media.

2. Create the right content:

As mentioned, there is no one size fits all approach to social media. Brands should not try to be on every platform, especially if the platform is not relevant. Again, take time to identify where your target market is active, then take time to master that one platform, gather feedback, listen to the feedback, implement changes and then continue growing that platform. Create content your fans want, not the content you want to create. Ask your customers what they want. Respond to their questions. Like their comments. Remember, they are humans, never don’t treat them like a number. Whilst the number of fans/followers will increase as you frequently post relevant content, you must first build trust with them, and this takes time and consistency. Remember to not spam your fans/followers.

3. Quality over quantity

Many businesses and brands fall into the trap of focussing on the wrong metric of fans/followers. As a brand, you can have many followers but few of these are actual customers who buy your product/service. The trick is to focus your attention on attracting the right type of fans/followers who could in time be actual clients. Social media is a great way to help people get to know your business and brand. Use it to show them you can help them.

An example of this is as follows: If you are a dietitian focusing on weight loss, create content that helps people get the body they want. Create content to their pains, goals, fears, and desires.

Focus on driving fans/followers into your sales process (into the process, not forcing a sale) by engaging with them and building strong relationships. Good content, that adds value, is what will separate you from your competitors. This is key to positioning yourself as an authority, which helps you attract your ideal customers and grow your business long-term.

4. Be real:

Social media, has enabled brands to open up and give customers a behind-the-scenes look into the brands our world. As a brand, you can use and leverage social media to regularly broadcast ‘your people’ and ‘your personality’ to the world. Share key moments and ideas, real pictures of your products, share real moments that make people want to be part of what you are creating. Remember that your fans/followers will very quickly be able to tell when something is authentic or not.

Own who you are. Your brand message should attract and resonate with your audience.

Remember to consistently deliver your message, no matter the platform. Stay true to who you are.

Crafted by Chris Midgley