Are you a small business owner looking to connect with your target audience, promote your brand, and drive business growth? Then you can't afford to ignore the power of social media.
But let's face it, social media for small businesses can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you're not a digital specialist. What should you post about, and when? What platforms should you use? And what should you do if someone complains about your business in the comments section?
To help answer these questions, I’ve written some essential dos and don'ts of social media marketing for small businesses. So sit back, grab a coffee, and get ready to take your social media game to the next level.
The dos and don’ts of social media marketing for small business owners
Do: Develop a social media marketing strategy for your small business
To maximise your social media presence, it's important to create a social media marketing strategy. And while this mght sound a bit scary, it doesn’t have to be a massive piece of work. If you're a small business owner with limited time or resources, you can still devise a quick and effective social media strategy by focusing on the bare essentials. Start by identifying your target audience, choosing the right social media platforms (i.e. the ones that audience uses - more on that shortly), and creating a content calendar that outlines the types of content you will post and when. This will help you stay focused, organised, and achieve your business goals.
Don't: Post randomly without a plan
Posting randomly without a plan can lead to a disjointed social media presence and missed opportunities. It's important to create a content calendar that outlines the types of content you will post and when. This will help you stay consistent and create a cohesive social media presence, which is a key ingredient for successful social media for small businesses.
Do: Focus on the right social media platforms
Successful social media marketing for small businesses means focusing your efforts on the platforms that are most relevant to your target audience. If you’re not sure which platforms your would-be customers are using, conduct some quick competitor research — on which social media platforms do your rivals share their most successful posts? By focusing on the platforms that your target audience uses most, you can maximise your reach and engagement.
Don't: Spread yourself too thin
Trying to maintain an active presence on every social media platform can be overwhelming and counterproductive. It's better to focus on the one or two platforms that are most relevant to your business and target audience. This will help you create more targeted and effective social media campaigns.
Do: Acknowledge feedback and build trust
Engaging with your followers is essential for building a loyal following and a strong online presence for small business social media. Respond to comments, messages, and mentions in a timely manner — it shows your followers that you value their feedback and are committed to providing excellent service, which is the key to winning at social media for small businesses.
Don't: Ignore your followers
Ignoring your social media followers can have several negative consequences. First, it can lead to a negative reputation for your brand, as customers may feel ignored or undervalued. Second, ignoring negative feedback can result in missed opportunities for improvement and growth. Finally, failing to respond to customer inquiries and comments can create the perception that your business is unresponsive and uninterested in customer feedback.
Having said that, engaging with your followers isn’t always easy. To help navigate some of the dangers of social media for small businesses, I’ve written a blog: 8 Proven Strategies For Handling Negative Comments On Social Media.
Do: Use high quality visuals
Visual content, such as images and videos, is more engaging and shareable than text-only posts. Use high-quality visuals to create content that’s aesthetically pleasing and informative. This will help you stand out on social media and increase your reach and engagement, which is essential when it comes to social media for small businesses.
Don't: Take images for granted
Poor-quality images or videos can detract from the message you are trying to convey, and make your brand appear unprofessional and unappealing. And because users are less likely to share or interact with unappealing or unclear content, second-rate visuals tend to generate low engagement and reduced reach
Do: Monitor your social media analytics
Monitoring your social media analytics can help you track the success of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions. It’s a key aspect of social media marketing for small businesses. Use analytics to track your reach, engagement, and conversions. This will help you optimise your social media strategy and achieve your business goals.
Don't: Snooze on your data
Neglecting your social media analytics means you’ll struggle to get a sense of what’s working and what’s not. That could mean you end up wasting time and effort on creating posts that simply aren’t resonating with your audience, rather than doubling down on content that’s helping sell your products or services effectively.
Conclusion: The dos and don’ts of social media for small businesses
In conclusion, social media can be a powerful tool for small businesses to build a strong online presence and reach their target audience. By following these dos and don'ts, you can create a targeted and effective social media strategy that resonates with your audience and helps you achieve your business goals. Remember to stay engaged with your followers and use analytics to track your progress and optimise your strategy for the best results.
Quicklist: 10 dos and don’ts of social media marketing for small businesses
DOS:
Do: Develop a social media marketing strategy for your small business
Do: Focus on the right social media platforms
Do: Acknowledge feedback and build trust
Do: Use high-quality visuals
Do: Monitor your social media analytics
DON’TS:
Don't: Post randomly without a plan
Don't: Spread yourself too thin across your social media platforms
Don't: Ignore your followers
Don't: Take images for granted
Don't: Snooze on your data