Do you use social media to help drive traffic to your website? Some businesses go as far as to employ a person or company to post on their behalf across the broad channels such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn. While posting information puts your name out there, it is also important to be posting content that will drive traffic to your company’s website.
Many people think that simply posting will gain followers, but there is much more to it than that. Are you becoming a resource? You need to be able to provide information that is: factual, helps viewers learn, and peaks their interest.
Here are some social media tips:
- Grow and nourish your relationship with your followers. Thank people for commenting and liking your information. Engagement is key for people to want to come back and see what you’re up to.
- Contests are fun – run them periodically. #StrellaSocialMedia had a great contest regarding marshmallows in jar, along with hashtags. They said it was one of the most successful and interactive contests they ever ran.
- Don’t be afraid to support causes and brands. We often feature Treasure House Fashions as a local cause, and in this issue, talked about Save Lucas.
- Use the 80/20 rule – 80% engagement and 20% sales. No one likes to read and follow those that only try to sell you on their product or brand.
- Post quality content and use this opportunity to highlight content on your website, such as a blog or news article.
Consistency will not only help you to engage your audience, but also give them a reason to follow you. Typically, this is not an overnight sensation. It takes continual learning, dedication and consistency in your postings. No one wants to read 10 posts from you one day and then hear nothing for the next week.
To help with regular postings, use a scheduler such as Hootsuite when you plan your social media calendar. Subscribe to Google alerts on various topics pertaining to your line of business to keep new trends and topics arriving in your inbox.
Part of growing your business on social media is providing content that your followers will want to share. As you post, keep in mind things such as: how you can help others, what interests your followers may have and how you can entertain them. By doing these things you better enable your company to grow an online following and increase brand awareness across the social media airways.
About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh based marketing consulting firm providing senior level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long term basis. Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business growth.