Using Social Media for Business: The Basics

Social Media for Business

If you own a business, whether it is a small company or simply involves freelance writing, social media is crucial to your long-term success. As true as this may be, it’s not as simple as it sounds. Essentially, you should be active on each of your social media accounts at least once a day and take part in specific activities if you wish to use the networks to their full potential and increase your sales as much as possible.

Listed below are some basic social media management tips that will help you maximize the benefits seen from using social media, and allow you to increase interaction with potential customers. Plus, this advice isn’t just good for one specific social media platform – it’s useful for them all, whether you are on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, LinkedIn, or any other network.

Post New Content Every Day

You should be posting new content on a daily basis, while making sure that each post is focused on a topic that will be of interest to your target customers. Consider posting statuses about your business; questions that will engage others and encourage them to interact with you; and updates about personal interests as well, such as how to increase creativity during times of slow productivity. Always keep in mind that your posts must be interesting enough to catch the viewer’s eye and make them want to hear more from you.

Include Images and Hyperlinks as Much as Possible

Posting new content is one thing, but including a stunning photo or a hyperlink to an informative article is another. It has been proven that your posts will receive more engagement and interaction if you decide to include a photo or link along with it. This will allow your followers to click on something in your post, as opposed to simply reading what you have to say.

With that being said, you should jump on every opportunity to link back to your business site. For example, if you have written a new blog post, why not share it with your followers and include a direct link to encourage clicks? This will increase traffic to your website, and in turn, sales will improve as well.

Use Hashtags to Your Advantage

Hashtags aren’t only used on Twitter. While it’s true that they were created for Twitter, the trend of using hashtags has already spread to other platforms. When you create a post, try to include one or two relevant hashtags. This will allow others to find your posts, and ultimately your business, by searching for topics such as #BusinessTips or #MarketingStrategy. It is also a way to join into a conversation, as everyone that is participating may use the same hashtag.

Interact with Others on a Daily Basis

It doesn’t matter if you follow or add new friends, like or favorite others’ posts, share interesting content, comment on a post, or answer questions. What matters is that you are interacting with your followers and potential customers as much as possible every day. The more you share other people’s content and interact with them, the more likely they are to promote your latest blog posts or new product in return.

Keep in Mind the Best Times to Post

Although it is still acceptable to post at any time you are available, you will see better results if you decide to post at popular times for your industry. The best times to post depend on your field or type of business, so it is hard to be specific without doing some research in your industry. However, the best time to post for many industries are around 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Measure the Results to Improve Your Strategy

One of the most important things you should be doing is continuously measuring your results, so that you can do more of what works and less of what doesn’t. Monitor statistics such as how many views, likes, and shares each post received; who else is using your hashtags and in what context; how much traffic is brought to your site from each social network; how many new sales you made; and if your number of newsletter sign-ups increased.

If you are reaching your goal, then continue to do things the same way – you’re obviously on the right track. If you aren’t quite there yet, consider modifying your social media management strategy in order to get the results you are looking for.

 

By Samantha Haupt

www.samanthahaupt.com

About Samantha Haupt

President & Co-Founder of LookLagoon Inc., Entrepreneur, Writer, and Photographer | An entrepreneur who loves learning about new ways to improve her businesses. A writer who enjoys teaching others. A photographer who is passionate about exploring the world and capturing the beauty of Mother Nature on camera. And a blogger who can't get enough of sharing her favorite experiences with others.

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