“Build it, and they will come” only works in the movies. Social Media is a “build it, nurture it, engage them, and they may come and stay .” - Seth Godin

Introduction:

Social media marketing has become essential to any business's marketing strategy. According to a survey by Hootsuite, 96% of small businesses use social media for marketing purposes. It's a powerful tool to help you reach and engage your target audience, build trust in your brand, and ultimately drive more sales and conversions. In this blog post, we'll discuss how social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn can be used to reach your target audience and give some tips on how to create a strong social media presence which can ultimately grow your business.

1. Understand your customer

The first step in creating a successful social media marketing strategy is understanding your target customer. Once you understand your target audience, you can start thinking about the marketing tactics you will use to reach them. Different social media platforms have different strengths, so it's important to find the one that resonates most with your audience. For example, Facebook is great for building a community and engaging with your followers, Instagram is great for visual storytelling, and LinkedIn is great for B2B marketing and networking. You can maximize your reach and engagement by focusing on the platforms your target audience is most active on.

2. Regularly post valuable content

Once you've identified the platforms you want to focus on, you must regularly post valuable content and engage with your followers. The more value you can add to your followers' lives without asking for a monetary transaction, the more you will build trust in your expertise and attract more potential clients. An interesting statistic from a recent survey by Hootsuite shows that 53% of Americans who follow a brand on social media are more likely to purchase from that brand. Building a strong relationship with your clients will ultimately lead to sales. Furthermore, social media is a powerful tool for building a reputation. According to a survey by Sprout Social, 71% of consumers who have had a positive experience with a brand on social media are likely to recommend the brand to their friends and family.

3. Engage and ask your followers what they want to see

One way to add value to your followers' lives is to ask them what they'd like to see more of and answer their questions with your posts. This not only helps you to create content that is relevant and valuable to your audience, but it also shows that you are listening to their needs and concerns. Creating a private Facebook group for your potential clients can also be a great way to engage with them and provide them exclusive content and resources.

4. Create valuable resources

Another great way to add value and build trust with your followers is to create valuable resources such as templates, checklists, and guides. These resources can help your followers navigate their own challenges and make their lives easier, while also positioning you as an expert in your field.

5. Keep track of the data

To ensure your social media efforts are successful, tracking your progress and making adjustments as needed is important. Use analytics and social media management platforms to track your follower count, engagement rates, and conversions. Use this data to optimize your strategy and ensure you're focusing on the best content and tactics that work best for you.

And if you need help with any of the above, feel free to reach out info@quantumshiftmarketing.com

Bibliography:

Hootsuite. (2019). “2019 Small Business Social Media Survey.” Retrieved from

https://hootsuite.com/pages/small-business-social-media-survey-2019

Sprout Social. (2019). “The State of Social Media Marketing.” Retrieved from

https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-marketing-industry-report/