6 Tips to Stand Out in Social Media
By Shelby Ballou
When it comes to social media, companies must either stand out or fade into the background.
Whether you design rustic furniture, bake vegan desserts, or sell specialized software, there is a niche online audience of people who are interested in and looking for your business.
These people expect to find you on social media, and they expect you to be active. Simply creating multiple profiles on multiple platforms is not enough. You can’t just stand on the sidelines. You have to jump in and play the game.
For many marketing specialists, social media is undervalued and misunderstood. It can be intimidating, ignored, and set aside, or it can be a fantastic way to help you connect with and learn from your customers.
Don’t stand on the sidelines. Jump in the game, and take charge of your niche. Here are six ways to do just that.
Be proud. Consumers made the choice to follow your business online, so don’t hesitate to talk about yourself. Share your achievements and accomplishments. Let your customers know how well you’re doing and the awesome things you have on tap.
Special sales, events, and new releases are all relevant to who you are and what you do. The key is to balance self-promotion with your customer’s desires so it doesn’t feel like you’re over-selling.
Be social. Have fun on social media. Interact with your followers. Break down barriers, and strengthen your relationship. Respond to comments, post engaging questions, and host contest. Your opportunities are endless.
Be relevant. Don’t be afraid to chime in on world events. Commenting on trending news is smart. Sharing useful information will add value to those who are following you. Just be mindful of your customers’ differing points of view, and try not to say anything insensitive or offensive. This could have negative consequences for your business.
Be visual. We are all visual creatures. A great image will capture your customers’ attention and keep them hooked. Even if you don’t see a ton of proven metrics (“likes”, “shares”, etc.) that your images were seen, rest assured that people saw your post and took note.
Be valuable. Don’t waste your customers’ time. If your posts are irrelevant, boring, and don’t provide value, your audience will shrink. Give your followers a reason to stay by answering questions, offering knowledge, and interacting with your social community.
Be involved. Social media can’t go on autopilot. Listen to what your customers are saying. Comment back. Take their suggestions. Supply consumer demand. Social media gives you a direct line to your customers to discover new opportunities and grow your business.
[Original post here.]
