How to get your business started with social media
Starting social media for your business may not be as daunting as it first sounds. Below is a simple guide to get started on three of the main UK social media outlets. Once you start the journey, keeping on top of your social media content doesn’t have to be a chore, especially with the accessibility provided through smart phones and tablet computers!
Step 1 – create a Facebook page for your business.
This requires an account to do this. It takes seconds to create an account, and it’s free. Once you have this, you have opened up a great medium for contacting current and potential customers. Get all the basic information in there, and get a nice image, preferably of your logo, however the profile picture has recently been changed to accept a 540px high by 180px wide. This allows for your logo, and some nice detail about what you do, it gives you more space to brand your page. It could be an option to contact a marketing company to get an image this size designed. Facebook is better for businesses who sell to consumers, but it is getting more advanced in general so it’s worth starting it now and building your fan base.
You want customers to engage with your page, the best ways to do this on Facebook is to::
1) Ask questions within status updates
2) Provide links to relevant content
3) Upload pictures of your work, products, displays etc.
4) Send polls out to find out your followers opinions on different subjects.
Remember this is just a start; you can take this further once you have established how to do the basics.
Step 2 – Share your activities on the move – get a Twitter account.
Twitter allows you to keep customers constantly updated about what the company is doing, and you can let them know about changes as soon as they happen. It is a more informal way of contacting your market, and allows them to create a closer bond with your followers by tracking your movements on a daily basis. You will get the most out of Twitter if your business is in retail, or if it produces FMCG’s. It allows you to inform all of your followers of any offers, or latest developments with product ranges or stock changes. Your customers have the chance to find out first-hand what the company is offering, and it makes them feel like part of a group that tracks your company, increasing brand loyalty.
Step 3 – Create a Corporate Presence – connect on LinkedIn
More and more businesses are joining LinkedIn, and it is the UK’s fastest growing business network. With the opportunity to create a company page you can add details about your products and services, ask people to recommend, and comment on your business. LinkedIn allows you to connect with important business people, and lets you do your research into the structures of companies you perhaps see as potential clients, giving more knowledge when you try and contact them.
Many people on LinkedIn are looking for solutions to problems, and they will post these within the ‘Answers’ section of the website, this section allows you to provide your knowledge and expertise to the person/company asking you the question, and it is an informal form of advertising your services.
Conclusion
Overall, Social Media can provide you with different avenues for success, and can develop leads for you. It is important to remember, that social media is not a lead generation tool, it is a way of bonding, and keeping in touch with your customers and potential customers. Try staying on top of your activity once you have kick-started it, and remember you could always employ a marketing company to help you in your quest!