Social media is a necessity in this modern business age. It’s the most cost-effective form of marketing available—but while many companies have mastered the art of a strong social media presence, others might still be wondering how to maximize their social accounts to attract and retain new customers. Here are seven practical ways to harness the power of social media to increase brand awareness and bolster your client base.
Interact and Connect
A social media presence is essential, but it’s not enough to attract consumers on these platforms—you also need to interact with them. A social media page is more than just a static billboard; infuse some life into it by connecting with your users. Here are a few action steps you can take to nurture and strengthen social media connections:
- Link to new website content on all social media channels
- Share polls and Q&A sessions to encourage user interactions
- Publish relevant user-generated content (with permission, of course)
- Respond to comments and messages as much as you can
Share Relevant Content
Regularly creating new content drives organic website traffic, but sharing external content for other sites will help you build a strong backlink profile and foster more industry connections. Publishing comprehensive, well-researched information from credible sources on your social media accounts will give your brand a sense of authenticity. Link to content that directly reflects your business interests and character. Here are some examples:
- Breaking industry news
- Relevant how-to tutorials
- Product reviews or listicles
- Seasonal retail “gift guides”
- Scholarly research articles
- Data-backed case studies
Focus on Video Content
Written content is valuable, but videos are crucial for user impressions and interactions. Even a well-executed TikTok video can generate positive brand awareness. Since videos are dynamic, visitors will absorb and retain the information you want them to glean. Videos are also more search-friendly. Social media algorithms prioritize videos more than written and still-image content, making it more likely to be promoted and viewed.
Respond to Customer Inquiries
In this digital era, consumers can contact businesses via online contact forms and social media comments or DMs. However, many customers who leave a social media comment don’t necessarily expect an answer—and this is where your brand can set itself apart. Respond to all comments within 24 hours. Give helpful answers to their questions or concerns and encourage them to communicate more. This small gesture can have a significant impact.
Promote Brand Awareness
Think of your social media accounts as ambassadors for your business. Their appearance and content should reflect the overall brand identity. Use a consistent logo, color scheme, and tone of voice as much as possible. Incorporate targeted advertisements to reach more customers across multiple channels, too. Also, don’t be afraid to inject some personality into social media posts, whether humorous or authoritative. Show your human side—it will help you become relatable and stick in consumers’ minds.
Partner With an Influencer
When you work with an influencer, you can tap into their loyal audience and attract new customers. Influencers promote word-of-mouth marketing, which could open your business to entirely new avenues of exposure. Find an influencer with an audience that speaks to your unique customer base. Make a pitch to them by offering free products or modest compensation. In return, they’ll post videos that showcase your products or services, making a clear impression on their many committed, passionate followers.
Hire a Social Media Manager
Running a business can be all-consuming, so if you don’t have time to keep up with all these social media responsibilities, hire a social media manager to moderate the channels for you. This expert will create, schedule, and publish content, interact with the community, and even track analytics to measure your brand’s success on social media.
Breathe New Life Into Your Business with Social Media
These strategies provide a framework for growing your brand’s online presence, nurturing more client relationships, and ultimately expanding business reach. Once you’re comfortable with social media, you can experiment with more tips and tricks to reinforce brand awareness and interact with consumers in unique, creative ways.