In today’s world, consumers are more clued up and connected than ever before. They want to know who you are, what you’re about, where you’ve come from and what you’ve got to offer. That’s why sharing your business story is really important – and social media can be a great way to achieve that.
Millions of people around the world use social platforms every day to connect with people, communities and brands. And thanks to the rise of targeted advertising, reaching them has become easier, faster and more cost-effective.
So if you want to be where your customers are, it might be worth thinking about a social media strategy for your business. But with so many platforms and so little time, what’s right for you? We’ve put together a short guide below, including examples of content you can post.
1. Facebook
With over 1.5 billion users worldwide, Facebook is the ultimate melting pot of demographics. That makes it a great way for businesses to connect with potential customers, at home and overseas. Of all the platforms, Facebook has the most advanced advertising capabilities, which means your posts can connect you with the right people, at the right time, in the right place.
Instead of targeting the things people search, Facebook lets you target the people that are most likely to become your fan or customer and start conversations with them. Those conversations are happening regardless, so your opportunity is in joining them.
Content examples: a video on your origin story, pictures of a customer or supplier, a team member’s story, collaborations with other businesses.
2. LinkedIn
If you’re in the B2B world, LinkedIn is the network for you. Often referred to as the ‘thought leadership’ platform, it’s where professionals and companies get together to exchange thoughts, opinions and ideas. If you’re looking to connect with people, grow relationships or expand your network, you can target specific industries, job titles, experience levels and more.
You can also use LinkedIn to build a strong profile for your brand by encouraging your team to engage in thought leadership pieces, raise awareness of your products and services, or join LinkedIn Groups which are dedicated spaces for particular industries or markets.
Content examples: case studies, thought leadership pieces or blogs, how-to guides, examples of people or businesses that inspire you.
3. Twitter
Twitter is a social community that lets people post and share short messages, videos, photos, links and more. It gives businesses a way to listen to the thoughts and opinions of consumers, connect with other like-minded businesses, and find out what’s happening around the world in real-time.
It’s also an effective way to share (short) updates or news from your business, maximise your campaigns and take part in conversations happening around you. It’s worth keeping in mind that people often use Twitter when they have a question or complaint, so it’s really important to be active and responsive.
Content examples: company or team updates, blog posts, retweeting content, news articles, press releases, reactive responses to people.
Stay tuned for more ways to share.
Getting quality content up on your social platforms is a great move for your business, but remember it’s just one of the ways to connect with your customers. Next month we’ll have more on sharing your story, so keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, it’s time to get social.