Social Media Guide For Small Businesses

One of the biggest concerns we hear from small businesses about social media is that they want to be on every platform and reach everyone. Although social media allows you to reach large audiences, as a small business owner it is important to follow our recommendations for successful social media management.

First and Foremost, Social Media is a Marathon, Not a Sprint.

A big obstacle small business owners face is their misunderstanding of the time it takes to build a following on social media. Building a follower base and creating messages is not an overnight process. It takes time and energy. Tackle social media with the same effort you did when you started your new small business. Start by understanding your current customer’s behaviors and invite them to be a follower or friend on sites.

Research Your Audience’s Interests

The second step in successfully managing social media is researching your audience’s interests. You will be amazed by what people share on social media and how much you can learn from his or her behaviors. Find out keywords they are using, brands they are following and sharing.

Find The Best Platform For Your Messages

Once you have more information about your audience, you will need to research the best platform for engagement. For example, if your audience is Kentucky business owners interested in executive coaching, then chances are Snapchat is not their platform of choice. Knowing the demographics will allow you to focus on creating compelling messages to maximize profit.

Make a Point to Start a Conversation

As a small business owner, you’re more than likely thinking about the next sale every day. Social media can be the best place to throw out pitch after pitch, however companies who bombard their audience with products after products can fail. Use social media to your advantage and start a conversation with your audience. Respond to their posts and learn more about their lifestyle. Customers like brands that are engaging, not just sales focused.

Lastly, Pay Attention to Trending Topics

Many small businesses fear they will become the next internet sensation by doing something wrong on social media. There have been brands that have taken the wrong approach and found themselves in the limelight, ultimately seeing a hit on their business. You can learn from these crises and mistakes and learn to pay attention to trending topics that can work to your advantage.

For instance, a celebrity has passed away, and a large brand has decided that they are going to insert their brand into this trending topic.  Their thought process is “a lot of people are talking about this topic, so our brand can get some traction, too.” This has been known to backfire time and time again.

As a small business, you can join the conversation and share your opinion, but we recommend leaving your branding out of it. Don’t look at it as a sales pitch, but a way to be engaging and get exposure for your brand inadvertently.

We know that as a small business owner, social media can be daunting because of the time and energy it takes. But when all else fails, and you’re completely overwhelmed, call for assistance like us to handle your social media management.