We are all familiar with Social Media these days. It seems like we live most of our lives on the screen of our phones. So much so that I tend to worry about the social lives of future generations (but that’s a whole other post in itself).
As a business owner I am sure you are familiar with the love/hate relationship we all have with these social media platforms. While they can be great business boosting platforms, and a great *free* marketing tool, I’m sure there are also days when you want to take your phone/laptop/tablet and toss it out the window!
I feel ya! I have planned my social media death multiple times….hitting that delete button and living is a less complicated world. But it draws me back every time.
So, if we need Social Media to help grow our business, how can we make the most out of our profiles?
I am going to propose something that might sound a little crazy – just go with me here: What if we stopped using Social Media as a “marketing” tool and started using it as a way to actually be SOCIAL?!?
Crazy, right!?
Let me tell you about a little experiment I did (accidentally) a few months ago. I had taken my car to the tire shop to fix a small leak. What was supposed to be a quick fix turned into a TWO HOURwait! Since I was kid-free and had no where to go, I jumped on my phone and check my social media sites.
I mostly use Instagram for my business but usually my “use” includes posting my content, scrolling briefly through my feed or posting to my IG Story, and then logging off until the next day when I do it all again. I don’t spend much time exploring or looking for new feeds to follow.
Since I had a two hour window with nothing else to do, I decided to use this time to actually be “social” on Instagram. I searched hashtags that I never had time to search before. I followed a ton of new influences and ideal client profiles. I liked several of their posts, and took the time to look through the feed. I commented on photos I liked even sent a few Direct Messages. It was actually fun and refreshing to use the app like it was intended instead of just posting and running.
I left the tire store and headed back to my busy life of carpooling kids around, running errands and getting work done. That night we headed out of town for a family wedding so I didn’t check my IG feed for about 3 days while we were busy spending time with family.
When I got back home I logged in to my account and was greeted with some really amazing numbers! You know that little red box that pops up when you log in, telling you how many likes, comments and new followers you have? Most of the time I will see pretty low numbers. I average about 50 likes per post, with 3-5 comments and maybe 3-5 new followers each week. BUT, when I logged in this time I was SHOCKEDby the numbers that popped up.
I had HUNDREDS of new followers, HUNDREDS of likes and HUNDREDS of comments….and a couple of Direct Message responses.
Now, if your social media account is one that already gets this kind of action then that’s AMAZING! But for me it was a BIG deal! And I am certain it was all from those two hours I spend interacting and being social while waiting for my car at the tire shop.
Now, I know what you are thinking – “I don’t have 2 hours to sit down and do that”. I totally get it! I don’t either. So I have started spending just 10-15min here and there when I can. If I am waiting in the car line at school, sitting in a dr. office waiting room, at my daughter’s t-ball practice or standing in line at the grocery store. Every little bit helps.
So HOW can you be more social?
- Start by interacting with the people that are interacting with you. If someone comments on your post, comment back. Say ‘Thank You’ or answer a question they might have asked.
- If you are only getting a handful of likes on your posts, try sending those people a direct message letting them know that you appreciate their support and maybe offer them a special discount or coupon code.
- Follow hashtags that are relevant to your ideal client and comment when the hashtag shows up. For example: If you are wedding photographer, follow the hashtag for your local bridal shop or wedding venue. When it pops up that someone used the hashtag in their post to announce that they found their dream dress, or finally chose a wedding venue, comment on their post and congratulate them OR send them a message.
- Like and comment on other people’s posts. It’s like the Golden Rule says: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you– I believe that if you do good, you get good in return. So liking and commenting on other posts will eventually result in a greater online presence and brand awareness and more likes/comments on your own posts
You can also be more social through your own content.
- Ask questions – get people involved with your post by asking them to leave a comment
- Open ended response/fill in the blank – remember how much fun those MadLibs were as a kid? Play a virtual version on your page and see what kind of responses you get.
- Behind the scenes posts – sharing insights to how your business runs, who you are and the process you go through will help your followers feel more connected to you and more likely to interact.
- Get personal – this is a hard one for me, but I am making an effort to share more of ME on my social media pages. Again, if your followers feel invested in YOU as a person rather than just a brand, they are more likely to interact with your content.
- Fan Photos – if you sell a tangible product ask your clients to share photos of them with your product and you will “feature” them on your page. If you are selling a service, you can still use this idea by sharing reviews or photos of your clients during receiving their service.
- Hold a contest or giveaway – these are always great way to get interaction, especially if they have to comment on your post to be entered.
Social Media can be frustrating at times, but when used right it can be such an invaluable tool for your business. You just have to follow the 80/20 rule – 80% of the time you are GIVING to your followers and only 20% of the time are you ASKING them for something in return.
I would love to know if using any of these tips has helped you grow your social media presence. Leave a comment below and share your story (I might feature you on my IG page!)
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