How To Build A Following On Social Media

Are you the proud owner of a small-business, blog or website? Most likely you’ve put a lot of work into creating informative posts, nice graphics, and curating all sorts of helpful information for your customers and readers to enjoy.

But how do you get the word out that people should visit your site or do business with you? Every time you check out your stats, there’s only a small trickling of visitors. Fortunately, you can use social media to build an online presence and let everyone know how great you are. Here are some tips for how to build a following using social media.

Make a Plan

Since “social media” refers to a wide variety of platforms and interactions between users online, there is a lot of choice for you to refine your strategy. Therefore, it will help you tremendously to sit down with your team and think about which areas you want to focus on. For example, do you want to build a following in your geographic area or have a broader reach? Consider these and other questions during the planning process.

Start with a Facebook Page

Facebook sees tons of traffic, and creating a page for your company or website is free. Then start getting likes by posting new content regularly, at least several times a week. You don’t have to post only things from your blog – mix it up by posting photos, graphics and video. You can also engage with your fans by asking them questions, inviting them to “like if they agree,” and (depending on your cash flow) offer contests with prizes. You should also post during times when people are most likely to see your post, such as around 8 in the morning when everyone logs on for the day.

Tweet A Lot

While Facebook is something that’s best updated several times a week, Twitter can be updated several times a day. You should also engage with followers and accounts you follow by retweeting and favoriting. Plus, there are also surveys and questions that other users ask, which if you participate it can help you get your name out there.

Twitter

Twitter

Instagram

A popular photo-sharing service, Instagram is a great tool for building your brand as well as build a following. You can upload pictures not just related to your work but also ones that showcase your company’s interests outside the office. For example, if you are involved in philanthropy, you can post a picture of you volunteering at the hospital, surrounded by patients in wheelchairs. This will not only raise awareness for the cause you’re working in, but will also give your company a leg up in the sympathy department.

Pinterest Points

Similar to Instagram, Pinterest is more visual. Therefore, you will have to focus solely on showing off pictures and other visual aids. Additionally, you can use Pinterest to follow other users within your industry or professional interest group.

Further Tips

These are just a few of the ways you can use social media to your advantage. There are also subtle tricks you can employ, such as using a little humor to keep your posts interesting, posting regularly, and making use of inspiring quotes every once in a while to drum up support. Sometimes it’s possible to post relevant content from the news or share your opinion about a hot topic. You can also share other posts created by other people that you follow, so long as you credit them correctly.

Regardless, social media is your best friend when it comes to building your presence. And the more people who know about you, the more likely they are to come to you for whatever service you provide.

Featured images:
  •  License: Image author owned

Donna Jane runs a social media marketing departement at DearJane, Donna has moved in to the social network management position for the brand after a decade of working as a nurse.

Speak Your Mind

*