How to Build Your Social Media Presence

In 2018, having a social media strategy to grow your brand is no longer an option. It is a must. With the plethora of social media channels and contents available today, finding the most effective route to differentiate your business and generate a strong presence may be a daunting task. Here are some ideas to help you get started!

1.      Introduce yourself by following and engaging opinion leaders.
 
Meeting the gatekeepers is the most direct way to enter an industry, and social media is the most convenient way to connect with industry leaders who may otherwise seem unreachable through traditional means. Every industry has its recognized influencers with passionate and loyal followings. By connecting with the leaders, you’ll have an easier time building credibility among their audiences. Just opened a coffee shop? Introduce yourself to popular local cafes. Follow their profiles, interact with their posts, attend their events. Soon enough, you’ll be one of the insiders with a share of their connections.      
 
2.      Generate a constant stream of quality contents.
 
Blog posts, visual posts, videos, links… There are many different forms of contents you can create to attract visitors. The most important thing is whatever you post is what your audiences want to see. Do some research on who your customers are, their trends, interests and concerns, and create contents that meet their needs so they keep coming back for more. Once you created your posts and edited them with care, create a posting schedule to get them out to your readers timely and effectively. Use services like Buffer or Hootsuite to help you manage your social posting timeline.
 
3.      Be human.
 
Social media consist of two words. Make sure you act the first. The best thing about social media is that it closes the distance between you and your customers. Optimize the customer experience by responding promptly to comments and inquiries. Show them your sincerity and kindness. Share your passion and your sense of humor through your posts. Don’t forget to follow and engage with your follower’s posts too.  
 
4.      Post call to action.
 
A lot of following don’t mean much if you don’t inspire them to act. Incentivize your visitors to like or share your posts to engage and expand your network. Run a small promotion or giveaway to circulate your products. Give your visitors a friendly nudge to make the purchase they are thinking of making anyways. Better yet, create Q&A sessions and contests to generate buzz and awareness. These are great opportunities for your followers to learn more about you and your business.    
 
5.      Be yourself.
 
If possible, don’t outsource your social media marketing. Make your own posts and interact with your customers on your own. Nobody understands and represents your brand better than you. Even if you’re not social media savvy, you can add an original twist that differentiates your business from your competitors by simply being yourself. People will always be responsive to enthusiasm, sincerity and passion.

How do you attract followers on social media? Please share in the comments below!