Information for this blog post was from HubSpot, MOZ, and Sprout Social.
Expanding a small business through social media is beneficial, and there are many helpful tools online to get you started. To thoroughly understand small business social media growth tactics, we'll highlight significant findings from three reliable sources in this blog post: HubSpot, Sprout Social, and Moz.
4 Steps to Help Small Businesses Be Successful with Social Media
Be consistent
Diversify your content
Quality not quantity
Find current trends
Be Consistent
Being consistent is one of the most essential ideas you can have as a small business when you first start using social media. Too frequently, brands lose hope if they don't start seeing results immediately. In actuality, social media development might be gradual, but like with other aspects of business, if you are persistent, you will see the results you are hoping for. This entails consistently publishing top-notch material (at least once each week). You want a user to have a clear understanding of your brand when they do visit your profile. Users will rapidly lose interest and depart if your website contains little to no content. For scattered postings, the same is true. You may share a story on social media. Users will know what to anticipate from your website, your company's main focus, and what you have to offer. This idea is only relevant when the posts are consistent and prioritized. In doing so, you'll draw in your intended market.
Diversify Content
There is so much possibility for experimentation and creativity on social media. Too frequently, businesses choose a single successful strategy. Social media is continuously changing. As these platforms roll out new features and user behavior shifts, what worked yesterday might not work today. Users should experiment with content formats whenever they can. On TikTok, for example, you can only publish videos. On the other hand, you may go live, upload pictures, and perform polls on Facebook. Some other examples of this idea are seen below.
1. Variety of Content Types:
Images: Share high-quality photos of your products, services, or behind-the-scenes shots of your business.
Videos: Create short videos showcasing your products, how-tos, customer testimonials, or educational content.
Infographics: Share informative infographics on industry trends, statistics, or tips related to your niche.
User-Generated Content: Encourage customers to post content related to your business and share it on your social media.
Live Streaming: Use live video features to connect with your audience in real time, host Q&A sessions, or launch new products.
Stories: Utilize Stories on platforms like Instagram and Facebook to share ephemeral content and promotions.
2. Content Themes:
Rotate through different content themes such as product highlights, employee spotlights, customer stories, and industry news.
Create themed content for holidays, seasons, or special events.
3. Educational Content:
Share informative articles, blog posts, or tips relevant to your industry.
Create "how-to" guides and tutorials.
Host webinars or live sessions to educate your audience.
4. Interactive Content:
Run polls, surveys, or quizzes to engage your audience and gather feedback.
Host contests or giveaways to encourage user participation.
Use interactive features like Instagram's "Ask a Question" or "Poll" stickers.
5. Behind-the-Scenes:
Offer a glimpse into your daily operations or the making of your products.
Showcase your team members and their roles.
6. Customer Testimonials:
Share positive reviews and feedback from satisfied customers.
Create visual testimonials using text overlays on images or videos.
7. Trending Topics and Challenges:
Stay updated on trending topics and participate in relevant challenges or conversations.
Share your unique perspective on industry news or viral trends.
8. Visual Consistency:
Maintain a consistent visual style with your branding, using colors, fonts, and filters that represent your business.
10. Content Calendar:
Plan your content in advance using a content calendar to ensure a mix of content types and themes.
11. Engagement:
Actively engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages promptly.
Encourage conversations by asking questions in your posts and captions.
12. Analytics and Feedback:
Monitor the performance of your posts using analytics tools provided by social media platforms.
Adjust your content strategy based on what works best for your audience.
13. Collaborations:
Partner with other businesses or influencers for co-branded content or takeovers.
Always maintain consistency, and make sure your content approach is tailored to the tastes of your target audience and the particular social media channels you utilize. Examine what works and doesn't frequently to gradually improve your content approach.
Image Courtesy of Wix Media
Quality not Quantity
A social media idea "focusing on quality instead of quantity" highlights the significance of producing and disseminating high-quality material rather than merely attempting to amass a sizable number of followers, likes, or posts. This strategy acknowledges that influence and involvement are sometimes more valuable than raw numbers on social media. Here are some essential features of this idea.
1. Content Excellence:
Prioritize creating valuable, informative, and engaging content that resonates with your target audience. High-quality content should be well-researched, well-written, and visually appealing.
2. Audience Understanding:
Take the time to understand your audience's preferences, interests, and pain points. Tailor your content to meet their needs and provide solutions to their problems.
3. Authenticity and Transparency:
Be authentic and transparent in your social media interactions. Authenticity builds trust with your audience, and transparent communication fosters credibility.
4. Selective Posting:
Instead of bombarding your followers with numerous posts, be selective about what you share. Focus on content that aligns with your brand's values and objectives.
5. Consistency:
While you may post less frequently, maintain a consistent posting schedule. This helps your audience know when to expect content from you.
6. Engagement Over Numbers:
Prioritize engagement metrics such as likes, comments, shares, and click-through rates over vanity metrics like follower count. Meaningful interactions are more valuable than a large but unengaged audience.
7. Community Building:
Build a genuine online community around your brand or niche. Encourage discussions and conversations among your followers and actively participate in these discussions.
8. Quality Visuals:
Visual content, such as images and videos, should be of high quality and relevant to your message. Invest in professional photography or graphic design when necessary.
9. Storytelling:
Craft compelling stories that connect with your audience emotionally. Stories are a powerful tool for conveying your brand's message and values.
10. Measurement and Adaptation:
Continuously monitor the performance of your content and adjust your strategy based on data and feedback. This iterative process helps you refine your approach over time.
You may have a more significant and long-lasting impact, build sincere relationships with your audience, and ultimately accomplish your social media marketing goals by putting quality before quantity on social media. Remember that the quality of the relationship you develop with your audience is just as crucial for your social media success as the amount of your following.
Identify Trends
Keeping up with what's trending, pertinent, and interesting across numerous social media platforms is necessary to identify social media trends. Here is a detailed explanation of how to accomplish it:
1. Choose Your Platforms:
Start by identifying the social media platforms that are most relevant to your interests or industry. Popular platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Image Courtesy of Wix Media
2. Follow Relevant Accounts:
Follow influencers, experts, and accounts that are relevant to your niche or interests. These accounts often share and engage with trending topics and content.
3. Use Hashtags:
Pay attention to trending hashtags on platforms like Twitter and Instagram. These hashtags often highlight current events and trends. Use them to discover related content and discussions.
4. Explore the Explore/Discover Section:
Many social media platforms have an "Explore" or "Discover" section where they showcase trending content and topics. Spend time exploring this section to see what's currently popular.
5. Engage in Trending Conversations:
Join in on discussions related to trending topics. Leave comments, ask questions, and engage with others in a meaningful way. This can help you gain visibility and connect with people interested in the same trends.
6. Follow News Outlets:
News outlets often cover trending topics on social media. Follow reputable news sources and journalists on social media to stay informed about current events and trends.
7. Use Trend Tracking Tools:
There are various tools and apps available that can help you track social media trends. These tools often provide data on trending hashtags, keywords, and topics. Some popular trend-tracking tools include Google Trends, Trendinalia, and Trendsmap.
8.Engage with Analytics:
If you're running a business or trying to promote a brand, make use of social media analytics. Platforms like Facebook Insights, Twitter Analytics, and Instagram Insights can provide valuable data on what's trending among your specific audience.
9. Join Online Communities:
Participate in online communities and forums related to your interests or industry. Reddit, Quora, and niche-specific forums can be great places to discover trending topics and get insights from like-minded individuals.
10. Monitor Influencers:
Keep an eye on what social media influencers are posting. They often have their finger on the pulse of what's trending, and their content can serve as an indicator of popular topics.
11. Set Up Alerts:
Use tools like Google Alerts or social media monitoring tools to receive notifications when specific keywords or phrases related to your interests start trending.
12. Stay Informed:
Finally, stay informed about current events and news outside of social media. Trends often originate from real-world events, so being aware of what's happening globally can help you spot emerging trends on social media.
Remember that social media trends vary widely depending on your niche, location, and target audience. What's trending for one group may not be relevant to another. Therefore, tailoring your trend-tracking efforts to your specific goals and interests is essential.
Resources
Barnhart, B. (2023, September 13). How to get more followers on Instagram: 15 tips to grow your real audience. Sprout Social. https://sproutsocial.com/insights/how-to-get-followers-on-instagram/
Bretous, M. (2022, June 29). 5 social media tips every small business needs [+ free tools]. HubSpot Blog. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/small-business-social-media
Smith, B. (2022, January 19). 5 real examples of Advanced Content Promotion Strategies. 5 Real Examples of Advanced Content Promotion Strategies. https://moz.com/blog/advanced-content-promotion-strategies
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