7 Simple Steps for Mastering Social Media

Social media, such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook,  can sometimes seem overwhelming. But don’t worry!

Social media success may not require as much effort as you might think. Here’s a simple guideline that any small business owner can use to be a social media star. These seven steps will help you get started.

1. Define your marketing goals

Create a plan. Set a few marketing goals. But not too many! Perhaps you’d like:

•   Customers who like your products and services will be more loyal to you.  
•   To share news and products through a mailing list  
•   To share more information about your brand and generate more sales
•   To be a leader in your market or industry, you need to think differently  
•   Increase brand recognition  

2. Find the top platforms

Choose the best social media platform to achieve your goals. Twitter, for example, is great for brands that have a short message and can be used as a soapbox. Facebook allows you to stream live and create a page specifically for your brand. You can share photos of products on Instagram and Pinterest. Find the best social media platforms to promote your brand’s message.

3. Start your social media profiles

Start by creating a profile on social media. Start with a description that captivates visitors. Provide a link. Next, add your logo and other relevant images. You will need a compelling cover image for your profiles. This larger image could show your products, staff, or store interior. Make sure it grabs the attention of your visitors. You can either create your own cover images using a simple tool such as Canva or hire a professional to do it. DesignPax can create a custom Facebook cover image for as low as $100

4. Make sure to update your social media pages with new content

It’s crucial to maintain your social media presence, whether it be Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest for your small business. Visitors like to see new content, so make sure you update it regularly. You should post the most recent news, photos, and videos at least once a week to your social media accounts. You don’t need to create all of the content. You can also use content from other blogs and video channels. Be sure to credit them with their social handles. This could not only keep your social media channels active but also make a great tool for networking. This shows others that you value their content and are willing to share it.

5. Comment, respond, share, and engage!

It’s not enough to post only on social media. You must also comment, reply, and share. Engage others in their content. It’s called social media because it is. Socialize! It’s not social to talk about yourself at a cocktail party. You can retweet and like, as well as comment. You might even want to join a Twitter chat or Facebook Live. You won’t have many followers if you are too self-absorbed.

6. Automate your work with automation tools

Automation can help you save time, just like other areas of your business. There are many technologies that can help you reduce your workloads, such as Zoho Social and Buffer.

However, automation does not mean that you should lose touch with your followers. Here are some ways to maintain a balance. Automated updates can be scheduled. This software can be used to organize all activities so that you don’t have a lot to log in to different platforms. It won’t be noticed by your followers and it won’t make them feel impersonal if you use the technology well. Don’t automate everything. Automation can be used to save time, and to keep costs down.

7. Measure and track your results

Analytics measures and tracks progress towards marketing goals. You can use it on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. However, you can also find a third-party tool to provide measurements in a consolidated dashboard. Big names include Zoho Social and Buffer. These platforms can also manage your posts and alert you to comments.