The answer is yes, you can, but it is not as simple as one may first think. Creating a brand page, whacking on your logo and posting a few product pictures are not enough anymore. You need to ENGAGE the audience. Put yourself in their shoes and think about what content makes you hit the ‘like’ or ‘follow’ button. Treat, your branded social media pages with as much care and thought as you do towards your website.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media
#1 Don’t be selfish
What does it mean to be selfish on social media? Quite similar to real life… do not just talk about your business the WHOLE time. You need to engage- ask your audience for opinions and ideas, converse with them. Trust me, they will appreciate it.
#2 Do Add value
Social media is just a different method of communications, therefore, like any communication it needs to be relevant and interesting. Your goal is to make you audience crave the content you share.
#3 Don’t take short cuts
There is no magic trick to social media, like anything; you need to work for it, in order to see the desired results you are striving for. In order to be successful you have to look at it in the long term. Buying followers won’t get you anywhere in the end, it make take longer but building up a genuine following of loyal customers will be much more worthwhile for the future success of your business.
#4 Do focus where it counts
Yes, there are a million different social media platforms you can build an online presence on, but it is best to just focus on the one’s that you consumers are actually active. Don’t put your fingers in too many pies- or so the saying goes. Think of your social media as a bus stop advertisement you wouldn’t spend money on an ad in Perth if your business services were based in Sydney, right? The same is true for social media.
#5 Don’t be a Ghost
Don’t drop it and run. Yes, automated posts are good, we all use them but it essential to still have an actual presence and monitor your online content. This will ensure that your brand has a louder voice.
#6 Do be authentic
Authenticity is the key to a long and successful online presence. Stay true to your brand and portray that through online content you are producing- show your brand personality through your content.
#7 Don’t expect the world if you are not going to give the world
Social media is a two-way street. If you want a high conversion and following, you have to give the audience valuable content and offers etc.
#8 Do test, monitor and report
Each business is different and thus each social media strategy is different too. You need to monitor you’re the execution of your strategy to see where the strong and weak points are so that you can tweak it.
Cross off the Don’ts and start tackling a plan around the Do’s.
