Social Media Marketing for Businesses Expert Tips

Social media marketing for businesses has become the new norm. Rightfully so, since there are 2.4B users on Facebook and 1B users on Instagram. In Total, there are 3.7 billion users on social media networks.  We won’t mention the other Gazillion social media platforms that are popping up by the day. Naturally, so even the new Socials are pushing the use of social media marketing for businesses second to personal usage!!!

In this article, you’ll uncover the best social media strategies to grow your small business quickly. But firstly, we’ll break down, what is social media, what are the best social media management tools, and the definition of social media marketing?  Additionally, how promoting on social media is key. And finally, how to use social media for Explosive Branding!!!.

Undisputedly,( SMM) using social media to market small businesses is Epic. Stick around to gain insider tips you need to grow your followers and fans. Additionally, you’ll uncover proven marketing tips used by top social media marketers!

 Social Media Marketing Tools for Small Business

Quick Stat: Each person spends an average of 2 hours and 25 minutes on social networks and messaging. (GlobalWebIndex)

Continue to read as we provide details. All things considered, these details will cut through the social media advertising clutter and drive dollars into your bank account!

Surprisingly, you’ll clearly understand how to do social media marketing for branding that works. Moreover, it will become crystal clear how using social media to market can significantly impact your marketing plans. Lastly, and more importantly, you can start… for FREE!!!!

Promoting on Social Media

Although social media is FREE, don’t underestimate its effectiveness.   Especially SINCE, according to research, IN 4 YEARS, THE NUMBER OF U.S. ADULTS ENGAGING IN SOCIAL MEDIA GREW BY 61M. NOT ONLY ARE MORE ADULTS ENGAGED IN SOCIAL, BUT THEY’RE ALSO SPENDING MORE TIME.  Adults are spending AN AVERAGE OF 1 HOUR AND 46 MINUTES PER DAY on Social Media!

Moreover, according to Hootsuite, 1.3 million new users joined social media platforms every day in 2020. In other words, there are billions of customers performing online searches looking for what you have to offer. Also, those billions come in all shapes, sizes, and desires.

However, there are social media strategies you must know before jumping in. Just think, if marketing through social media was easy, no one would fail.  Essentially, every business that has internet access, and owns a computer would be swimming in sales. The better news, Some ARE!!!

Let us Dive IN…

Benefits of Social Media Marketing

Presently, there’s so much noise and competition on social media it’s silly and easy to get lost. Not only that, there are rules. By large, the #1 rule most marketers break is thinking that everyone is their customer. As a matter of fact, many marketers think all we need to do is put up a billboard and they will come! Not SO!

Although there isn’t a quicker route to customer engagement and retention. But, however, when formulating a strategic social media campaign there is a wrong and right ways to get your messages across.

Here are a few ground rules, tips, and strategies. 

How to do Social Media Marketing

Today, you’re on the right track.  On the business side, wanting to learn how to use social media to grow your business is key. Especially since social media marketing is like a runaway freight train with no stopping in sight. And since there are billions of users on social it only makes sense. Actually, NO, it makes dollars and cents to jump aboard, Now.

In 2018, an estimated 2.65 billion people were using social media worldwide. This number is projected to increase to almost 3.1 billion in 2021. However, there are only a handful of staple social media networks Ie. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Notably, “Facebook” has gone from social to business social.  As the saying goes,  if your business isn’t social, it’s not open!

“What is Social Media Marketing”? (SMM)

Because more small businesses and entrepreneurs are boarding the SMM train many are asking, what is social media marketing? Here’s one definition, (SMM)is the process that utilizes social media network platforms to market a company’s products and services. The marketer creates targeted messaging for each specific social media platform. These promotions are designed to increase sales, and/or start customer engagement. Further, it’s a convenient affordable way to build customer awareness and express a company’s mission.

Using social media for Marketing 

Ideally, social media platforms are used to connect with a targeted audience. Usually to build a brand, increase sales, and drive website traffic. To sum up, this involves publishing great content, engaging with followers, and analyzing social media ad results.

The Importance of Social Media Marketing

In fact, marketing on social media has become one of the primary advertisement options.  Today it encompasses 53% of the world’s population. Small business owners like Jimmy, the Jam juicer to Sally the secret shopper utilizes social media to run their businesses. To put it differently, social media usage is one of the most popular online activities for business growth.

How to Increase Traffic Through the use of Social Media

Ideally, if you’re planning to throw your hat in the SMM promotion arena, it’s worth it. Truly, there’s no quicker, more efficient way to educate, engage, or edify services than on Socials.

Although promoting on social can win the hearts of your target market. On the other hand, it can also have you practice Screaming at the wrong crowd!!!

Hence, if you’re new at social media marketing, expect a learning curve, like with anything else.

Marketing  and Social Media

We’re not advocating you not try. However, if you’re a busy small business owner or solopreneur, hiring a digital marketing consultant may be an option.  Keep in mind, that there are millions of other small business owners competing for the same target audience. The below tips will help~

 How do you get noticed?

• Know your purpose
• Who’s your demographic
• Which social media network to target
• Create helpful or informative content
• Be consistent
• Inspect what you expect
• Seek help if needed

Despite the staggering amounts of social media users, there are some things advertising dollars can’t buy!  To note a few; posting weak, non-inspiring, non-tailored, and non-specific content. In fact, the noise social is at an all-time high. Fairly, only well-constructed, properly researched, and highly valuable content wins.

All things considered, if promoting on social media isn’t your forte, then a consult may be for you. Keep in mind, that social media promotion is a learned skill.  Although you can learn, the curve can be steep and time-consuming.

Keep in mind that 50% of all content uploaded goes unnoticed. After all, social media advertising can be cruel and unusual treatment. But you can also hit the SMM lottery!

How Social Media Promotes Business

Regardless of which medium is used, adding content, such as; videos, and images to engage users is a must. The social calls for creative messaging and consistency. Speaking of consistency, the easiest way to stay on track is to pre-plan your post.

Thankfully, there are companies, and social media management tools designed to help. Trying different post types will increase views. Nevertheless, they are recommended formulas for DIY’ers to follow: Check here for an overlooked simple SMM Strategy!

 Scheduling of Content Example

50% of content should drive traffic to your website

25% of content should be curated from other sources

20% of content should support lead-generation goals (PDFs, eBooks, Newsletters,

5% of content should be about your company’s mission

If you’re starting from scratch and you’re not sure what types of content to post, try the 80-20 rule

80% of your posts should inform, educate, or entertain your audience

20% can directly promote your brand.

Or you could also try the social media rule of thirds:

One-third of your content promotes your business, converts readers, and generates profit.

One-third of your content shares ideas and stories; curated or from influencers.

One-third of your content is personal interactions with your audience

Social Media Strategies

A social media strategy is a set of processes written out in a strategic step-by-step format to pursue a specific goal.  It’s an easy and straightforward action that’s designed to keep you on track.

Obviously, the end goal is to keep you focused. To work only on the action step that’s in front of you. Keep in mind, that your marketing plans should be precise, concise, and detailed. Finally, the more specific your outline is the more effective.

Usually, the simplest plans get the most traction. Undoubtedly, eating an elephant in one bite won’t work. To start with simple steps boost confidence and courage. By default, an exaggerated goal easily erodes confidence and can set up a setback.

Social Media Channel

Social media is the driving focus for millions of successful business owners, so competition is fierce. Based on the above research, we all can agree that social media for small businesses is essential.

Tools for Social Media Advertising

However, as stated previously consistency is vital. As small business owners, we’re already juggling an innumerable amount of tasks. To win we have to know when to hold and when to fold.

Unfortunately, trying to wear every cap could cause your doors to shut permanently! Especially, since we have apps, automation, and social media marketing management tools that make our jobs easier.

What are the best social media management tools… two are listed below:

Buffer

Buffer is a social media management tool built with your small businesses in mind. They have 75,000 customers. Including big names such as Huckberry, Spotify, FOOD52, and Shopify. Buffer marketing platform can help you reach your goals. Whether you want to build a brand or increase sales. Not only that, you can visually plan and schedule your social media campaigns. To learn more go here -> Buffer

You can:

• Publish your content
• Analyze your campaigns
• Measure your performances
• Create reports
• Get insights to grow
• Boost engagement,
• Increase sales

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is one of the most popular social media marketing management tools around, with over 18M users. Newbies can start for free. Once experience is gained you can upgrade to the paid subscription. Hootsuite saves time and resources. Similar to a CRM it brings all your accounts under one umbrella. Being able to view all your comments and mentions in one place makes it easier.  Lastly, you can also assign tasks, plot a social media calendar, and schedule updates.

More benefits:

You can:

• Manage multiple social networks, from one platform
• Easily connect with customers
• Consistently grow your brand on social media
• Integrate 100’s apps
• Track your analytics
• Auto content scheduling
• Organize profiles

-> check it out here.

What is a social media Marketer?

A social media marketer is a specialist who helps small and medium-sized businesses to promote their businesses on any social media platform. If you need help using social media for marketing, you can go with an individual SMM marketer or agency.  Some of these professionals eat, sleep and drink digital marketing. For more in-depth or larger projects, you can reach out to a social media Agency.

Listed are a few key pointers if considering hiring a social media marketer, for your small business

1. Check their social media competency… are they up on the latest social network.
2. Think about how they attracted you… professional, persuasive, and pleasant.
3. Have they embraced automation and technology?
4. Do they have a method to their madness… do they have a systematized process?
5. How do they measure the performance… are you paying for results or activity?

Best Social Media Platform for Marketing

Although, many SBOs ask which social network is the best? The answer is easily found in your market research analysis. Your outcome is based on knowing your demographics and target market for starters?

Regarding target marketing, you always want to know who you are targeting. Chances are you wouldn’t run a”Depends”(adult diapers) ad on TikTok. Because your ad would more than likely lose money, unless your SOCIAL MEDIA AD is sooooooooooo Dope, that all the teens show their Granny.

By maintaining a presence, you’re actively managing an important conversation and relationship with your audience. In today’s online social community, customers expect businesses to be present on social media networks. They also prefer businesses to respond to comments, concerns, and other messaging. No one likes talking to themselves. It’s good to participate in a professional, responsive, natural, and well-like manner.

Content on social media

Facebook

•   Facebook had 1.84 billion daily active users in December 2020. (PR Newswire)
•   98.3% of Facebook users access the platform on mobile devices. (Statista)
•   The best time to post on Facebook is Wednesday at 11 AM and 1-2 PM. Sundays show the least amount of traffic. (Sprout Social)

Twitter Statistics

•  Twitter had more than 330 million monthly active users in Q1 of 2019. (Twitter)Ø The platform reached almost 200 million monetizable daily active users in Q3 of 2020, up 29% YoY. (Twitter)
•  The best times to post on Twitter are Wednesday and Friday at 9 AM, and Saturday has the least engagement. (Sprout Social)
•  Tweets with hashtags get 100% more engagement. (Twitter)

Instagram Statistics

•   In late 2019, Instagram Stories had 500 million monthly active users. (Statista)
•   90% of people on Instagram follow a business. (Instagram)
•   The best times to post on Instagram are Wednesday at 11 AM, and Friday between 10-11 AM. Sunday is the worst day for engagement. (Sprout Social)

 Conclusion:

The jury is back. Social media marketing for businesses is found to be one of the most essential digital marketing tools… Ever! If you’re still skeptical about whether to jump on or off the social media bandwagon, I have to wonder… WHY!

To Recap:

•   There are 3.5 billion users on social media
•   There are 2.4B users are on Facebook
•   Instagram has 1B users
•   It’s the most affordable way to engage with your customers
•   Social media networks are here to stay

The use of social media for marketing is the new norm. How important is it? Just as important as oxygen is to the living. It’s the quickest and more effective way to turn non-paying customers into raving fans, in minutes. If you’re not using social media to market your product or service already, then now is a good time to start!

Which network do you use? And why?

Let us know by leaving a quick comment below.

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