This post was originally published on July 18th, 2019. Updated for August 30th, 2022.
Technology Aloha advises rethinking a social media marketing strategy by prioritizing genuine customer connection, recognizing that social media is fundamentally a social platform. This approach involves three key steps: understanding your target market's values and problems, being personal by sharing your business's story and "why," and fully utilizing social media features like videos, live streams, and direct messaging to engage your audience. By focusing on these elements, businesses can move beyond simple posting to create a more effective and engaging social media presence, as highlighted in their article updated on August 30th, 2022.
As a business owner, you’ve more than likely heard you need a social media marketing strategy. But making one might seem daunting. Where should you start?
Simply put, start with the first word. Social media is a social platform. Connecting with your customers is the foundation of all social media marketing. Whether it’s your grand opening or your anniversary, social media will make these events matter to future customers.
Follow these three steps to engage customers, attract prospects and create a solid social media marketing plan.
How to Know Your Target Market for Social Media Marketing?
Your target market is not everyone. Your audience members should affect each of your social media decisions going forward. But you should answer these questions: Who are you trying to reach? Who are your current customers? What do they value? What are their problems, and how can you solve them? Once you know that, you know what to post on each social media platform.
How to Be Personal With Your Customers on Social Media?
Customers will appreciate when you stop selling on social media and instead get to know them. There are many tools you can use to do this; Ash Read recommends using SparkToro.
Focus your content on people. Give your customers a personalized experience. One of the best ways to start is by sharing your business’s story. Most people start a business because they want to help others avoid a problem they have experienced themselves. Tell your customers the problem you identified and how it affected you. Explain why you wanted to make a difference. The ‘why’ of your business is an important personal part of you. After you tell them ‘why’, show your followers how you can help them solve the same situation in their own lives.
How to Use Social Media Features to the Fullest for Marketing?
Many businesses publish several posts a week. They link to their website once or twice and call that a social media strategy. There is so much they are missing out on, though. Make the most of the social media features available to you, like:
- Creating and housing videos
- Going live
- Using private or direct messaging
- Scheduling posts for the times most of your customers are online
Learn about — and use — the favorite features on your customers’ favorite social media platforms. You’ll see greater engagement and better responses from your target market when you show them you care about their social media likes.
These tips are only the start of your social media marketing plan. Need help growing your social media strategy? Schedule a consultation today.
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