In 2022, social media is more powerful than ever before. As a small business owner, you can use social media to reach new customers, connect with your existing customers, and help grow your business. Now that’s not to say you need to produce the next viral video or get millions of followers to be successful on social media – far from it, in fact. Just a few simple tips can help you get the most out of social media for your small business.
Here are six social media tips for small business owners in 2022:
Choose the right platforms
With so many social media platforms out there, it can be tempting to try to be active on all of them. But that’s not necessary – or even possible in some cases. Do some research and find the one or two platforms that make the most sense for your business. Do some research and find the one or two platforms that make the most sense for your business. For example, if you’re a visual business, like a bakery or a florist, Instagram might be the best platform for you. Or if you’re targeting a Gen Z audience, Snapchat or TikTok could be a good fit.
Be authentic to your brand
Once you’ve found the right platform, make sure you’re being authentic to your brand. Your social media posts should reflect your company’s values and voice. Don’t try to be something you’re not – it will come across as inauthentic, and your customers will see right through it.
Being authentic to your small business brand on social media is hugely important for a number of reasons. First, it helps you to build trust with your customers and followers. If they see that you’re being genuine and transparent, they’re far more likely to believe in what you’re selling and consider you a reliable source of information. Additionally, authenticity allows you to better connect with your audience on a personal level. They’ll appreciate that you’re not just trying to sell them something, but that you’re truly passionate about your brand and what it stands for. Finally, being authentic also makes good business sense. In today’s overcrowded marketplace, customers are looking for brands that they can trust and connect with on a personal level. If you can show them that you’re the real deal, they’re much more likely to give you their business.
Essentially, you want to tell your story through social media, and let your customers get to know the real you.
Share customer stories and reviews
People love to read positive stories and reviews about businesses they’re considering purchasing from. If you have any, be sure to share them on your social media platforms. Here’s why:
For one, potential customers are more likely to trust the word of a satisfied customer than they are to trust your marketing materials. Hearing first-hand about how your product or service has helped someone is a much more persuasive sales pitch than anything you could say yourself.
Secondly, sharing customer stories and reviews is a great way to build social proof. When people see that others have had positive experiences with your business, they’re more likely to want to try it out for themselves.
Finally, sharing customer stories and reviews helps to humanize your brand. In today’s digital world, customers are looking for brands that feel personal and relatable. By sharing stories and reviews, you’re giving your customers a chance to see that there are real people behind your business – people who are just like them.
So if you’ve got some happy customers, don’t be afraid to shout about it from the rooftops (or, more accurately, from your social media platform of choice).
Repurpose content across multiple platforms
If you’re short on time, that’s okay – there’s no need to produce original content for each and every social media platform. You can repurpose content from other sources. For example, if you’ve written a blog post that’s been popular on Facebook, why not share it on Twitter or LinkedIn? Or if you’ve created an infographic that’s a hit on Instagram, you could use it as a basis for a Facebook Live video or a Snapchat story. By repurposing content in this way, you can save time while still delivering fresh, engaging content to your audience. So next time you’re feeling short on time, remember that repurposing content is a great way to make the most of what you already have. Just be sure to customize it for each platform so it looks and feels native to that particular site.
Batch create posts to save time
Creating social media content doesn’t have to be a time-consuming process. If you batch create your posts – that is, create several at once and then schedule them to go live at different times – you can save yourself a lot of time in the long run. This way, you can take advantage of content ideas when they come to you, without having to stop what you’re doing and post immediately. If you haven’t already, take advantage of online tools that can help you schedule your social posts ahead of time