The rapid growth of social media platforms as a way to consume news and stay in touch with friends, family members and colleagues has created various avenues for small and large businesses to reach their desired audiences. Facebook, with it's 7 billion plus users and various marketing tools allows businesses to directly connect with potential customers in very direct and cost-effective ways. Linkedin will allow you to market your products to a more business-oriented crowd.
That being said, not all types of businesses do so well when using social media as their primary source of advertising. Social media marketing works best for software products and event-driven activities like seminars, parties, product launches, etc. Small businesses marketing traditional service businesses / products have to get creative to cut through the noise on these social media platforms. Remember, folks on social media (unlike with Google search ) or not actively looking for your products or services so you have to think "outside the box" when trying to get their attention.
Here are 3 tips to help you do just that.
1. Post Frequently
Consistency is key to success. You want to find and grow an engaged audience by ( among other things) posting relevant content on a consistent basis. Post information that may not always be related to your product or service, but your audience will enjoy or find useful. If your audience consists of other businesses you might want to post information that will help them succeed in business. Posting on a frequent basis helps build familiarity with your audience, thus making your marketing offers more acceptable.
2. Show and Sell
When it comes to Instagram Marketing or advertising on any other social media platform, video is your friend. Take the opportunity here to showcase your product or service with a short, straight-to-the-point video. You do not have to spend thousands of dollars creating a sleek video. You can simply use your smartphone to shoot a simple video showing how your product or service can help your prospective customer. You can use a tool like Moovly to add some graphics and sound and you are ready to post and share with your audience. Be sure to include a "call to action" for interested parties to follow. Include your website address or phone number for the viewer to take the next step.
3. Use Hashtags
Instagram gives you the ability capitalize on trends through the use of #hashtags. Unless you have been living under a rock for the better part of the last 10 years, you know #hashtags are words or phrases used to arrange related topics under one directory. Hashtags are primarily effective in the social media world and mostly on Instagram. Get the attention you need by posting unique, relevant content under popular #hashtags.
