| 5 TACTICS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA EFFORT |
| Social media platforms have become increasingly effective at landing new business. But getting the most out of social media requires having the right tactics. Here are five things digital marketing experts say are key to a successful social media effort. |
Choose the appropriate platform. Many social media platforms are being successfully used by businesses—Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), to name a few. Consider which ones are right for your target audience.
Position your brand. Social media’s accessibility makes it easy for platforms to become inundated with competitors. That’s why it’s important to position your business in the marketplace as a brand, conveying the unique value you deliver to your clients. This differentiates you from your competitors and helps you come up with compelling messages that will pull in a larger audience.
Have a strategy for creating quality content. Consider what you’re promoting and how you can present those products and services to your audience. Think about your messages and how you want to communicate them. For example, if you’re doing a video campaign, YouTube is a great platform. X is better suited for text-based campaigns. For each platform you use, focus on the details, such as using hashtags to reach your audience.
Be creative. Experiment with different types of quality content. Some businesses use X to post company announcements, breaking news, and market reports. Others go on YouTube and post quick videos with clever graphics and action shots to grab attention. Short videos on YouTube can also cover business trends, give brief talks on topics of interest, and show quick product demonstrations. You can make your business stand out even more by using a livestream to interact directly with users in real time.
A contest is a great way to engage social media followers, especially if you can come up with one that relates to your local area. Polls that ask simple questions about a relevant topic are also effective, because people love to share their opinions. You can poll clients to learn what they like about doing business with you, as well as areas where you can do more for them. Almost all social media platforms offer poll-making tools, SurveyMonkey offers free survey resources, and there are YouTube videos that show how to create polls across platforms.
Other types of content that have worked well for businesses include company histories, customer and employee testimonials, and reviews of philanthropic activities.
Post on a regular basis. Quantity is as important as quality on social media. When using these platforms, post as often as possible. But avoid posting too much content—you’ll come across as overwhelming and disorganized. Find a balance that works with your ability to create new content on a regular basis.
