Did you just launch your small business? (Congratulations!)
Or maybe you created your social media pages a few months ago but have been too busy to get them off the ground. (Trust me, I get it.)
No matter where your social media stands, the time to focus on your online presence is now. And fortunately, this blog will take you through getting started with social.
But before we get there, remember: Social media is only ONE piece of the bigger marketing puzzle. And this starts with your website.
Your social media pages should direct people to a clean, professional, and well-thought-out website. This is where potential customers will learn more about your business, find information about your services, and get answers to their questions about what you do and who you are, so don’t skip this important step.
(I have SO many thoughts on websites, but that’s for another blog. In the meantime, if you’re looking to create a site, we have great partners that can help. Reach out, and we’ll gladly connect you!)
So, are you ready to get going? Take out your trusty pen and get ready to check some social media to-dos off your list!
Oh, and read until the end to gain access to our free digital download! (You won’t want to miss it.)
Step 1: Set a goal.
What is your goal for online marketing? Instead of just focusing on gaining followers, consider what your business needs.
Are you looking for more leads? Do you want to build brand awareness and name recognition? Is it to get direct sign-ups for a specific service or promotion? Having a clear goal will help you with your overall strategy, so take the time to set a clear goal.
Step 2: Define your target audience.
This step cannot be skipped! So many people want to jump right into starting their social media pages, but you’ll be less likely to attract anyone to your pages if you don’t know who you’re talking to.
So, who is your target audience? These are most likely to be interested in your specific content and, thus, your products and services. Although their demographics may vary, they’re likely to share characteristics and behaviors. Think about where they live, how they spend their time, what their hobbies are — the more specific you are, the more precise you can be with planning content that speaks to them and targets their pain points.
Step 3: Start your pages and optimize the profiles.
In today’s world, your social media pages are often where people first learn about your business. All the information needs to be clean, consistent, and look and feel like your brand, so people can quickly see what you’re all about.
Depending on the social media platform, you’ll have different levels of detail on your profile page. Just be sure to use searchable keywords in those profiles and fill everything in completely.
And don’t forget a call to action (CTA)! Invite them to your website or Facebook page, ask them to give you a call to schedule an appointment, or include a clickable link that takes them to a free resource you’re offering.
Step 4: Create a strategy.
Strategy isn’t just when you’re going to post (see more on that below), but what you’re going to post and why it’s going to help you achieve your goal. So, look back to those original goals; if it was to gain more leads, you need to create content that puts yourself in your ideal client’s shoes. Think of all the questions and challenges they have and address each and every one.
To streamline this process, we recommend creating content pillars. Also called content “buckets,” content pillars are typically 3 to 5 topics that reflect your brand message. Be specific about your niche business and then create content types (inspiration, tips, service info, client testimonials, etc.) around it.
For more information about using those pillars to consistently post winning content, check out our past blog for 5 easy tips!
Step 5: Create a schedule.
As a busy business owner, it’s easy to neglect your social media pages, but scheduling makes it easy. To start, set up systems to streamline the process. Whether it’s a basic list in a Google doc or a proper content calendar, your planning can be as simple or complex as you need it to be, just as long as it works.
Personally, I stick to a schedule of setting aside time once a week to brainstorm ideas, find images and create graphics, write posts, and automate my posting through a scheduling platform. I tend to work in Hootsuite because it makes it easy to post to all my outlets in one spot, but Creator Studio is free, so that’s something to consider.
And last but certainly not least, don’t forget to stay active once you’ve set up your social media pages and tackled posting!
Respond to comments, send messages, and interact with other businesses in a casual, authentic way. While your pages and posts are what will initiate interest, consistent engagement is what will foster relationships and turn your social media efforts into real growth for your business.
Ready to get started? Download our FREE digital download, designed to help streamline your social media setup!
