It doesn’t matter whether you’re running a Fortune 500 company or managing an Etsy store in your spare room. If you want to maximize your sales and increase your exposure, implementing a strong social media strategy is a must.
With 2018 just beginning, there’s no better time to supercharge your social media tactics and take your business to the next level.
- Engage with Your Industry
A key part of staying at the top of your game is keeping an eye on your competitors and monitoring trends in your industry. An easy way to do this is to join LinkedIn. By creating a comprehensive profile (like this Lori Janeson page), you’re not only going to improve your search ranking on Google, but you’re also going to increase credibility within your brand community. Using the discussion features, you can also keep abreast of new developments in your field and even find potential brand partnerships in your network.
- Think Visually
With research showing that Facebook posts with an image attract 53% more likes than those without, it’s imperative that your 2018 social media strategy is heavily visual. By posting content such as product photos, inspirational quotes and even candid shots from your office, you’ll improve the level of engagement you have with your fans and potential customers. (This is particularly relevant on visual platforms, like Instagram or Snapchat.) In turn, this positive engagement will inspire word-of-mouth marketing and increased revenue for your company.
- Offer Value to Your Fans
What’s one thing the top 20 most “liked” brands on Facebook have in common? They provide value to their customers in the form of entertaining posts, customer support and access to exclusive sales. Studies also indicate that 58% of US Facebook users who “like” a brand expect to gain access to promotional codes. Providing this value incentivizes liking your business and fosters consumer goodwill. If customers feel good about your brand, they’re more likely to choose your products or services over your competitors, even if your price point is higher.
- Partner with Influencers
Having trouble giving your business a personality? Consider passing the task on to a well-known Instagram or Youtube Influencer. A Nielsen report found that 83% of people believe the most credible form of advertising is word-of-mouth, so getting a trusted personality to endorse your product can give it a lot of traction. Not only will you benefit from associating your business with an aspirational lifestyle, but you’ll also increase your exposure exponentially when the influencers share your collaboration within their networks.
- Don’t Oversell Yourself
Research shows that individuals who follow a brand on social media dislike being bombarded by advertisements and sales pitches. That doesn’t mean that you can’t promote yourself, but try to keep repetitive self-serving posts to a minimum. If you must post about a new product, sweeten the deal by offering fans a discount code.
You may also want to try the 4-1-1 ratio, which states that you should only post one self-promotional piece of content for every one retweet and every four pieces of original user content you share.
This year, it’s time to supercharge your business’s social media presence. By following these five simple tips, you’ll be on your way to social superstardom media in no time.
