Having an online presence for your business is extremely important. A study conducted by Market Force found that 81% of consumer’s purchasing decisions are influenced by social media posts. Being active on social media will keep your current followers engaged and will grab the attention of potential followers. Taking advantage of Google My Business, using social media tools, and posting relevant content will increase your followers and help to grow your business.
Google My Business
Google My Business (GMB) is a free service through Google that allows business owners to keep updated information on their business. It is essentially the Yellow Pages of Google. When a business is searched on Google, this is all of the information that shows up about the business. It displays the business name, hours, location, reviews, and photos. GMB is a good place for business owners to start optimizing their local SEO. It is important to fill out all of the information in the profile. The more information, the higher the business will be on the search rankings. Make sure to take advantage of the GMB app once the account is up and running, so you can continue to keep the information up to date and view the analytics and insights of your listing.
Get Reviewed!
Google places value on "social proof". Getting positive reviews on your business is a clear signal to search engines that your business is trusted. There are some automated strategies for getting Google My Business reviews, though reaching out to individuals gives it a more personal touch.
Social Media Tools
Some business owners may be intimidated by social media or are unsure of where to start. There are many tools out there to make it easier. Within Facebook, there are tools that allow you to schedule posts in advance. You can also see the insights of your posts, and even create paid ads and boost posts that will help increase your views. Additionally, Hootsuite is another social media tool that helps to manage multiple social media accounts all in one place. With Hootsuite, you can schedule posts for multiple social media platforms, and can view the activity and interact with followers by responding to comments, mentions, etc. Hootsuite makes everything accessible and organized in one location. They even offer resources such as blogs and educational courses and certifications to help users get started.
Relevant Content
Posting relevant content on your social platforms is a necessity. Content is what engages your followers. Make sure to keep personal information off of your business page. Posting about a new certification you earned is relevant, showing off your brand new boat is not. Making sure to use the correct platforms for your business is also essential. Twitter must be updated 10+ times daily to get exposure due to the algorithm and volume of content being posted in a feed. Instagram is very visual, so if you can post appealing photos, it would be beneficial to use. You must make sure the platforms are worthwhile for your business. Planning content ahead of time is the easiest way to manage your social media platforms. For instance, if you own a coffee shop, consider posting a featured drink on Mondays, or use Fridays for posting a funny meme about coffee. Social media marketing is a lot of trial and error. See what gets a lot of engagement, and use what works for your business!