For many small business owners, using social media as a sole business platform is an extremely effective strategy. Despite having no business website or not operating from e-commerce platforms, many entrepreneurs find social media as a lucrative place to sell goods and services. Furthermore, since almost everyone in social media nowadays, there is sometimes no need to use other platforms.
With all that being said, completion is exceedingly high in the online sphere. There are thousands upon thousands of small businesses based on Facebook and Instagram alone. And with the steadily increasing popularity of e-commerce, we can expect tens of thousands of more to spring up, especially with the extreme digital shift that the pandemic has brought about.
To stay on top of the competition and fully leverage what social media has to offer, here are some tips for entrepreneurs on how they can maximize their business potential on their chosen platforms:
1. Use social media to conduct research
As your business grows, so does the need for credibility. And one of the best ways to establish credibility is to create a business website. That said, even if you do not plan to launch a website for your business any time soon, you can still use social media as a means to conduct research for future SEO content.
This way, you know exactly who your audience is, what type of content they engage with, and what keywords you need to focus on when you eventually put up your website. And when that time comes, you can use professional SEO services to leverage your content, but you already have the data you need instead of starting research when you’re already working on your site.
2. Invest in graphics
A big issue in the art community in the country today is the underpricing of graphic design services. Some places can be toxic for graphic designers because so many people do not see the value of art.
As a result, many graphic designers and artists price their work low. Be that as it may, you generally get what you pay for if you’re not willing to pay for high-quality work. However, high-quality graphic design is imperative to any business, especially one that operates solely on social media. You need logos, banners, post templates, and visual content that catch the attention of your target audiences. That said, if you want work that captures people’s attention long enough for you to get the point across, you need to invest in graphic design.
3. Use more than one platform
Many entrepreneurs start their online businesses on Facebook, which is currently the largest social media network in the country. While a business may become successful with only one platform, it pays to expand to at least another one, such as Instagram, Twitter, or even Tiktok.
However, keep in mind that running another business page on a different platform entails extra work. Using Facebook and Instagram in tandem is easier since Facebook offers a business tool that allows you to manage both using the same page. Still, you need to be ready to put in more effort if you want to expand your operations to another social media platform; this includes researching, hashtagging, optimizing content, changing image sizes, and more.
4. Engage with your audience
One of the best ways to build a good relationship with your customers is to return their engagement. When people are commenting, liking, and sharing your posts, you’d want to respond with just as much eagerness to show that your business puts in extra effort to interact with your audience.
Furthermore, engaging with your audience is also an opportunity to gather feedback, be it positive or negative. When customers leave good feedback on your page, they will feel an even stronger connection with your brand when you show your appreciation. On the other hand, responding to negative feedback will make customers feel that you value your opinion and are willing to work on it.
5. Post high-quality content
Rehashed content, uninspired images, and trending memes get old quickly. If you want to make an impact on your audiences, you have to create content that is not only high-quality but also offers value beyond the promotional purpose.
For example, if you run a T-shirt business, create style guides on how people can wear your products with different outfits. Or if you sell teas or coffees, post recipes that can help your buyers make the most out of your products.
With all the business pages we see every day on our feeds, it’s easy to understand why you need to step up your game if you want to stand out from the rest. With these tips, you can optimize your social media platforms and leverage them better to reach your business goals.
