Navigating Social Media to Promote Your Small Business

Today’s small business owner knows that they have to be on social media to promote their business and brand. It can get confusing about which sites to use and how to best use them to market your business. Here are some tips to help you navigate the major social media networks.

Know Your Target Audience

First, and I feel I’m always saying this, but know your target audience. Here are some areas you can use to identify your target audience’s demographics:

·        Age

·        Gender

·        Occupation

·        Income level

·        Educational level

·        Type of Industry

·        Number of Employees

·        Type of Business

·        Revenue

Focus your blog content and posts on information that is relevant to your target audience.

Create Sharable Content

When you are posting to any social media network, limit your posts to 300-500 words. Anything longer and people won’t read it. Include images because people are more likely to read a post with a picture than one without.

Include a Call-to-Action. This is what action you want your readers to take. Do you want them to visit your website or buy your book? Include links that will take your readers to the correct webpage where they can perform the action you want them to.

Address your audience’s pain points and answer frequently asked questions about your products or services.

Social media is all about the sharing, so include a sharing button so your readers can share your post with their friends. It’s a great way to get more exposure for your posts.

Facebook

If you are going to use Facebook, you need to figure out how many times a day will want to post. Remember to respond to your fans if they make comments.

Use Facebook’s paid ads to promote your business, increase awareness and offer discounts.

Twitter

On Twitter, you need to know how many tweets you want to send out daily.

Your tweets could include links to your blog posts and product offers and discounts. 

Your tweets should include an image and a Call-to-Action.

Retweet influencers tweets. Follow new people. Respond to tweets.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is different. It’s really a business only social network.

Be sure to update your status a few times a week. Join and participate in industry groups. Create and update a company page. And be sure to use LinkedIn to research your prospects.

Google+

Google+ is Google’s attempt at a social network, so why not join this too. You can share your content a few times a week. Post your blog here too along with any product offers and discounts. Promote posts from industry influencers. Circle new people every day. Make sure your posts are public.

Pinterest

Pinterest is not for every business. It’s great for businesses such as wedding planners, custom jewelry designers, interior designers and businesses that sell women’s fashions. As you can guess, Pinterest is very visual so your business better be too.

If you are on Pinterest, be sure to add your keywords to your pins and make sure your pins link back to your website.

Create boards your clients might be interested in and follow new boards each week to get inspired.

YouTube

When you are marketing on YouTube, keep in mind that you should create videos that showcase your expertise. Have fun when you are creating your videos. Gather questions from your fans and create videos to address them.