5 easy ways to use social media to help your small business
If brand loyalty, customer satisfaction, and communication matter to your business, then you should have a presence on social media. With so many companies forced to move their business online because of the pandemic, social media is often the go-to place for customers.
Not convinced? Then check out these 2020 social media statistics that every marketer and business owner should know:
- 97% of digital consumers have used social media in the past month (globalwebindex)
- Social ad spending is forecast to increase by 20% to $43 billion in 2020 (eMarketer)
- Roughly two-thirds of US adults now report they are Facebook users (Oberlo)
- 53% of consumers say they’re likely to buy from brands that are transparent on social (SproutSocial)
Social media can play an essential role in your small business because it can show authenticity, transparency, and help build awareness. And while your company may already be using social media, the question remains, are you using it effectively?
If you are ready to commit your business to a social media plan, here are five easy ways for you to get started using social media for your business.
- Create goals — Start your social media strategy by identifying your top organizational objectives. Instead of using social media just as a megaphone for your business, evaluate how it can help achieve your goals. Whether you’re trying to generate awareness for your brand or drive traffic to your website, practical social media goals can maximize returns.
- Know your audience — Many companies create social media accounts in a hurry without understanding who their audience is. Define your target audience and create content around those customer needs. Each social media platform attracts different customers, so you’ll need to adjust your messaging to ensure you’re connecting with the right people.
- Stay committed — It’s one thing to create social media accounts for your business, but it’s another to maintain them. Keep your followers engaged by posting value-added content consistently and be responsive to customers who may have a question, make a complaint, or want to give you kudos.
- Create a calendar — Once you’ve created goals and identified your customers, create a social media calendar to help you plan and visualize your strategy. A calendar can help you save time, reduce stress, keep you organized, and, most importantly, provide you with insights.
- Listen to your audience– According to Hootsuite, social listening allows brands to track, analyze, and respond to conversations about them on social media. You can monitor your channels and those of your competition to see what people are saying about your products and your brand.
The sky is the limit when it comes to building out your social media. Try not to overdo it when you’re first starting, because it can quickly become overwhelming. Think of social as a place to show people your personality and why your brand matters.
At Better Business Bureau, our brand centers around trust. BBB Accredited Businesses recognize that fact and will often promote their partnership with BBB on social media to help gain confidence with customers.
Whatever your goals are for your business, BBB recommends to always be responsive to customers and truthful in advertising. Check out the BBB Standards for Trust to see if it aligns with your business. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to follow us on social media.
BBB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BetterBusinessBureau
BBB Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbb_us
BBB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbb_north_america/
BBB LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-business-bureau
BBB YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/BetterBusinessBureauChannel
For More Information
Visit the BBB Small Business Resources page for more business tips.
Find out how to Get BBB Accredited.
