By now, it's safe to say that the landscape of social media is among the things forever changed by COVID-19.
Unlike many other industries, however, social media marketing is on the rise in power and profitability. Today, we see that more consumers are using social media, businesses are spending more money on ads and the Influencer market has never been more competitive. Above all, becoming a trusted brand is more important than ever.
If your small business is going to not only survive, but thrive, in this new normal, gaining the trust of your customers on social media is essential. It’s easy for your messaging to get lost in the noise, as platforms are experiencing a boom of activity and an influx of marketing efforts.
To set your business up for success, make sure you are taking the following steps:
Optimize your website:
This is the first thing your potential customers are checking when considering spending money on you, and a poorly developed website (or no website at all) is a quick way to dissuade them. Your website is the core of your online presence. It's your storefront and your greatest tool for communicating your brand identity. Without a doubt, have a robust website in 2021.
Invest in great content:
If you don't have the time or bandwidth to come up with great content that will resonate with your customers, hire someone who does. The biggest mistake a business can make with their social media is to use it as a billboard, posting static ad after static ad. The real road to social media success is paved with value-driven content that your audience can connect to -- and that takes thought, research, revision and experimentation. When all is said and done, this approach pays for itself many times over.
Meet your audience where they are:
Do the research, know their pain-points and then find the courage to speak directly to those issues. Humanize your brand by demonstrating that you know what is going on with your audience, and you get it. Part of that is done by developing poignant captions, but another component can come from spotlighting customer stories. However, you choose to approach it, becoming a part of your audience community is an essential part of gaining their trust.
If you're looking to take your brand's social media presence to the next level and create a better, longer-lasting connection with your customers via social media, getting professionals on your team is hugely beneficial. Contact me at jessie@allsocialjessie.com or call 248.219.5106.
