Is your business on social media? What's stopping you from utilizing these free marketing tools?
Create Your Profiles
The first step is to set up your profiles. Make sure you complete all the required information to create a comprehensive, professional profile. Having all your information also helps increase your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) which helps potential customers find you on the Internet.
Create Unique Content
Creating original content shows your knowledge and authority in the industry. Google does not like repeated content over various sites. Take the time to create and share your own thoughts and ideas to your audience.
Encourage Engagement
Create posts that encourage readers to engage in conversation. Utilize the interactive nature of social media to make connections with potential and current customers. Share industry related questions, ideas, opinions, etc. to create a place for conversations to happen.
What Social Media sites should I use?
Do you have a Facebook page for your company? It's super easy to set up and it establishes your company in the world of Facebook. And it's free. Who doesn't love free marketing?!
Is the world of Facebook a little foreign to you? Start simple and learn as you go.
- How often should you post?
- Ideally post 3-5 times a week -- this keeps you up-to-date and helps your page stay active. You might not have enough content to post that frequently so post when you can and as frequently as you can.
- What content should you post?
- Create posts that involve interaction -- questions or comments that encourage readers to share or like the post
- Keep posts industry relevant
- How much time does it take?
- The amount of time you dedicate to social media is up to you. You can schedule posts in advance -- Facebook gives you the option to schedule posts for future dates
Twitter is a completely different world from Facebook. Hashtags, Retweets, and Mentions can be overwhelming and confusing. Again, start simple and go from there!
- How often should you tweet?
- Tweet up to 3 times a day to stay in followers' feeds
- What should you tweet?
- Twitter is a "Call-To-Action" platform--encourage people to contact your company, visit your website, or schedule a service with you
- What content should you include?
- Include pictures!
- How much time does it take?
- Use tools like TweetDeck or Hoot Suite to schedule Tweets
- Who should you follow?
- Follow others in your industry and interact with them
YouTube
Did you know YouTube is the 2nd most popular search engine after Google? Make a free account to create your own channel and start uploading industry relevant videos.
- What kind of content should you post?
- "How-to" videos are the most commonly searched on YouTube
- How often should you upload a video?
- Upload a video a week
Blogs
Take the time to blog.
- Why should you blog?
- Blogs establish expertise and authority in the industry
- How do you get people to read your blog?
- Find grabber blog titles -- "5 Reasons to Schedule Your Tune-Up"
- How often should you blog?
- Once a week is recommended but you can post as often as you are able.
Photos, photos, photos!
- How often should you post a photo?
- Post photos as often as once a day
- How do you find people to follow?
- Search hashtags
- How do people in the industry find you?
- Always add relevant hashtags to the comment of your photo
BONUS! Google+
If you have a Google account, Google+ is part of that! It's a platform that will help with your SEO. You can connect with industry groups and share your blogs and ideas. If you use Blogger (a Google based blogging site) it will automatically give you the option to share your post to your Google+ Profile. It's a simple way to have a presence on the Internet.
