How to Make a Big Splash with Social Media

Mark Zuckerberg could have never dreamed of how much his college pet project would grow and evolve. From its humble beginnings as a means of allowing coeds to, uh… ‘mingle’, Facebook has now transformed into a pretty detailed snapshot of people’s lives — their ideas, beliefs, values, interests, needs, wants, and just about everything in-between. Combine that with an individual’s other social media accounts like Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram, and you’ll be able to get a big picture look at who that person really is. This, my friends, is marketing gold. 

See, social media isn’t just for individuals anymore. Businesses of all sizes, specialties, and backgrounds are developing online profiles of their own. By doing so, these organizations are able to better get to know their existing and prospective customers, promote products and services, spread the word about savings and events, and act as a resource for consumers who are trying to gather information about a brand and its related industry. This requires a heck of a lot more than just setting up a bare bones profile, though. In order to make a lasting impression with social media, you must be willing to go the distance. I promise that it’s well worth the effort!

So, who’s with me? If you’re interested in making a big splash with social media, the following tips are just for you.

To Thine Own Audience Be True

Going viral and reaching everyone on the planet may sound like a wonderful concept, but it’s not a very realistic or practical goal. Your efforts are better spent on getting to know who your target audience is and zeroing in on their passions, interests, needs, and desires. Staying focused on the people that most identify with your brand and what you have to offer will allow you to nurture strong relationships and establish customer loyalty.

Scratch a Friend’s Back

Social media is all about sharing information. When users see something useful, interesting, relatable, or funny, they’re likely to repost, re-tweet, share, or “pin” that post so that their friends and families can enjoy the content, too. In addition to posting stellar content that will inspire sharing from consumers, you can also expand your reach by developing friendships with other organizations. Look for organizations that are related to your industry and share your ideals. Through interacting with and sharing this friend’s content, you may find that they share yours in turn. This will introduce new consumers to your brand and bolster your social presence.

Give the People What They Want

No one’s going to view or share your posts unless they find them useful or engaging. This means that you’ve got to do your homework and pay attention to what your friends and followers actually want to see and hear online. Having a dedicated social media account manager who can “listen” to consumer conversations and build unique relationships will give you a better sense of what’s trending, what problems your customers need solutions for, and what matters most to them. From here, you can generate content that’s tailored to their needs, thus increasing the likelihood of having your posts liked and shared all across social media platforms.

Play the Ad Game

At the end of the day, you’re going online to increase sales and grow your business, and that means getting your target audience’s attention in whatever way possible. In addition to turning out awesome content, it doesn’t hurt to buy ad space or pay for sponsored posts. This will help new customers find your business. You just need to make sure they stay excited about your brand once they arrive at your social media page!