Source: Adapted from LinkedIn by Kahle Evans
Branding is one of the most important aspects of creating a successful marketing strategy.
If your brand clearly represents your values and your business, you’re on the right track.
But how can you use social media to help create and develop your brand?
Here are four quick tips.
1. Identify your company values
Using social media to promote your values and your mission to your followers is a key element of public relations (PR).
Social media is your free tool to connect with your target market and your customers. Use it to share your own values and missions and how you hope your business will achieve these.
Are you dedicated to helping the climate crisis? Tell your followers how you aim to create a clean carbon footprint for your business.
Do you want to give back to your local community? Tell your followers about your efforts to engage with the local community or update them on upcoming events or projects.
Do you have a favourite charity that your company regularly supports or sponsors? Share their story and encourage your followers to donate.
No matter what your company values are, use your social media accounts as your free PR tool.
Social media can help you build a positive, longstanding brand image.
2. Attract your target market
Social media is a powerful tool when you know exactly who you’re aiming your attention at. The use of social media is emerging in every sector and every demographic, making it an easy way to communicate with any group.
Conduct some research into the best social media platforms for your business, and see how you can use these to target your customers.
If you’re offering your own corporate services, try creating content on LinkedIn to develop your network.
If you’re selling items, perhaps creating content on Meta platforms like Instagram and Facebook is your best bet.
Don’t be shy to test different platforms. They all have their own purposes and your business may succeed on two or three of them.
3. Engage with your audience
Once you’ve attracted your potential customer base to your social media pages, you’ll want to keep them there.
The trick is to post, post, post!
By posting regularly on social media you will not only boost your engagement, but you’ll become memorable to your followers. Social media can give you the chance to truly connect with your followers and your customers.
Reply to the comments under your posts and encourage customers to message your account if they have any enquiries. Maybe even use interactive features like polls on platforms like Instagram and Twitter to engage your followers.
Hint: polls are a fun way of building primary data among your followers. Ask them which option they prefer when you’re teasing new and upcoming projects!
Social media is your own PR tool. Responding quickly and professionally to your customers’ questions or needs is a sure way to generate a positive reputation for your business.
4. Become personal
For any business, adding a personal touch is always a great way to develop real relationships with your customers. Whether you’re a B2B or B2C company, this will work for you.
Use social media to let your customers get to know you – to let them see the person behind the scenes. Tell them your own personal story, tell them why you created this business, and what you hope to achieve. Let them see a personal side that may not be as visible on your company’s website.
This is an effective way to build long-lasting relationships with customers and an audience who may support your company because they resonate with your story and your experiences.
Social media has many avenues for a variety of different businesses. It definitely isn’t a one-size-fits-all at all. You will need to test different platforms and different methods to truly get the most out of it. But, once you find what works for your business, it is one of the most effective ways to build a professional and personal brand to add more depth to your company.