If you want to build an audience of loyal followers on any social media platform, consistency must be a part of your posting strategy. How many times a week (or a day) you post on social media is your choice - and some quick market research will tell you when your target audience is most likely to be online - but the key to success is to post consistently.
I’m sure you’ve seen Facebook Business Pages that just seem to gather dust because the owner got overwhelmed or too busy managing other parts of their business to keep up with posting interesting and engaging items on their chosen platforms. Even if they are the biggest and brightest expert in their field, having a social media profile that lacks information will lead prospects to question why they aren’t more active.
Instead of staring blankly at your empty Business Page, take out a calendar – or create a color-coded Google Calendar – and mark down weekly themes or seasonal holidays so you have an idea every month what you’ll post about. Themes can include detailed information about each of your products or services, different features or benefits of your product / service, or different ways your product / service can be used by your customers. What will make your followers engage with your posts? What information do they need to make a buying decision? What will make them loyal followers? A mixture of educational, inspirational, and entertaining posts will mix it up for them, but don’t be afraid to tout your products or services. Don’t rely on subtle hints; tell your audience in your loud outdoor voice exactly what you have to offer.
Instead of sitting down every day to write your posts, become friends with the scheduling features that are now available for most social media platforms. Now you can block off some time and schedule a week’s worth of posts by simply choosing what day and time they should magically appear. There’s still work involved with the writing and finding a photo to accompany your posts but by dedicating a block of time each week and referencing your calendar for themed ideas, social media posting will become much more enjoyable.
If you want to cross promote your business across multiple platforms, try using third-party scheduling software such as HootSuite or Meet Edgar. You can manage all your social profiles in one place as well as schedule all your posts. To avoid being labeled a “spammer,” switch up the words in each post while keeping the same overall theme. Think about how much more enjoyable your vacations will be when you can schedule social media posts before you even leave your home.
I know it’s hard to give up control of business tasks but if you really want to grow your social following, it’s time to hire a social media manager. The benefits are plentiful: you eliminate stress by delegating to an expert; social media managers can offer posting strategies for growing your audience; you can now focus on money-making tasks. Not only will social media managers strategize with you, they can take over the actual content creation as well as engage with your followers. Of course, you personally need to also interact with your audience, but your manager can help while you’re working with your customers and prospects.
If your budget right now doesn’t allow outsourcing, don’t despair. Plan your posts, schedule them according to plan, and remember to engage with anyone who comments or asks questions.
Dig deeper into your business and develop your unique social media plan with the Social Media Planner from Next Level U. Using our planner, you will get a step by step process for creating a social media strategy for your small business. Work at your own pace, implement your plan, and expect big results in your audience growth and your engagement! Take your social media (and your business) to the next level! BUY IT HERE.
To your success!
Laura
P.S. If you are a small business owner (or want to be one), whether you are just starting out, or have been in business for awhile, I hope you will become part of the Next Level family. Visit our Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/NextLevelAd) for tips, tools, and resources to help grow your business. We now have a Facebook Group, Next Level U, for those who are interested in joining a private community of small business owners and marketers.
Some of the links in this publication are Affiliate Links, meaning that – at no additional cost to you – Next Level Advertising may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Please know that when you see an Affiliate link from Next Level Marketing it is for a product or service that we use ourselves or that we have thoroughly researched and reviewed!
Laura Olson-Oxley is an entrepreneur, coach, speaker, marketing and business consultant, and sales professional. She has over 25 years experience working with small businesses in a variety of industries, focusing on strategic business growth through effective marketing and advertising. Also a strategist, numbers nut, project manager, and life-long learner, Laura looks at the big picture to analyze and recommend the most effective tools to take businesses to the Next Level.
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