StepUpYourRep in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

So you know you need to get involved with social media, but you’re really not sure to how to navigate social media as a business owner. Should you be on all of the social media websites?  What kind of posts should you make on facebook vs. twitter? These, among other questions, are probably what make you hesitate about the whole social media marketing craze.  Don’t be disenchanted with social media and avoid it, it’s a cost free and relatively risk free way to advertise. Consulting with specialists might be a good option for you, but to get a head start on the whole process, we have a beginner’s guide to social media.

Facebook

Facebook is the baseline Social Media Service. It does a great job of providing any kind of social media tool you desire. Marketing through Facebook is about connecting directly with your customers and networking through the community.

Why bother with getting a Facebook for my business?

When people search for your business and they want to get more general understanding of what your business does, the first search result they will click is what is most familiar to them: Facebook. Facebook is a universal tool and a database to find information. Utilize it as a way to present the most positive image of your company.

What can Facebook do that other social media services can’t?

Facebook is the full package. It combines the best aspects of multiple different social media services. As a business owner you can make posts and statuses of any length, advertise your company, post pictures, and have a way to directly contact and connect with your customers.

What should I not do on Facebook as a business owner?

The number one thing to avoid doing is creating your business’ Facebook page and then just abandoning it. When customers see that you have not kept your Facebook up to date, they will think of it as a reflection of your business’ attention to detail. And as with all Social Media Services, keep things mostly professional. You want Facebook to help your image, not harm it.

Facebook is the first Social Media Service you should begin utilizing in your social media journey, it’s a great way to learn the ropes of social media in the business world and it is a service you are most likely familiar with.

Above all, remain positive with your social media!

Contact StepUpYourRep for a free consultation today for more information about StepUpYourRep’s social media services.

Who should you follow through your business social media?

One of the greatest advantages of social media is the ability to connect your business with a large amount of people who you wouldn’t regularly connect with. You can make these connections through your posts and content. Another way to make those connections is by creating mutual follows with your customers through your business social media accounts. Social Media is a two way street; when you give a little love, you can get a little love. Keep in mind that these tips can be applied to all types of social media.

So who do I follow?

Strategy #1

You follow anyone who follows you. This is a good strategy if you are just starting out and don’t have too many followers. By using this “follow-back” strategy, you encourage your followers to further promote, love, and share your business with others. Having a “Mutual Follow” makes it less likely that those followers will ever decide to unfollow you. On a side note, keep in mind when following people that this is your business social media account, not your personal account.

So what if I have too many followers on your social media accounts and I can’t possibly keep track of everyone?

Strategy #2

You don’t have to necessarily follow everyone, especially if it is impossible to possibly keep track of all of your followers. For this strategy, follow back any of the followers who are truly valuable to your business. This includes anybody who regularly reposts the things you share on your social media and are consistently there to support your business. Investigate your followers, do any of them have a large number of followers themselves? The more followers they have, the more valuable these networkers can be to your business.

What else should I know?

Strategy #3

Another thing to remember is that while creating mutual follows with your customers is a great way to network, it’s not the only way to give back that little love. When a customer comments on your posts with valuable feedback (whether it is a concern, compliment or question), you should make it a rule to respond to as many as possible. If someone took the time to comment on your posts treat it as any other social interaction. That means thanking them and remaining respectful to their opinions. The internet is most definitely NOT the place to get defensive or argumentative.

Take the time to go and like posts on your customers’ social media accounts whether or not you follow them. Do this especially if they make a post about your business or share something that you posted. This shows customers how attentive and aware you are as a business owner.

Social Media Management takes time and a significant amount of attention. This is another added stress, but it is crucial to your business’ quality of customer service and customers will definitely notice the attitude you present in your interactions on social media.

Above all, remain positive with your social media! Contact StepUpYourRep for a free consultation today for more information about StepUpYourRep’s social media services.

StepUpYourRep in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

So you know you need to get involved with social media, but you’re really not sure to how to navigate social media as a business owner. Should you be on all of the social media websites?  What kind of posts should you make on facebook vs. twitter? These, among other questions, are probably what make you hesitate about the whole social media marketing craze.  Don’t be disenchanted with social media and avoid it, it’s a cost free and relatively risk free way to advertise. Consulting with specialists might be a good option for you, but to get a head start on the whole process, we have a beginner’s guide to social media.

Instagram

Instagram is the best way in Social Media to market your business and products. With Instagram you can market your business’ personality and image, which is a crucial aspect of your online reputation.

Can I get good quality pictures with Instagram?

Yes! What’s great about Instagram that with adequate lighting and a smart phone, you can take a picture of pretty much anything and edit the photo exactly how you’d like it edited. The really unique aspect of Instagram is the user-friendly settings with a wide selection of pre-set color filters. The filters can completely change the attitude of your photograph or video.

How can Instagram market my business?

With Instagram, you can take photographs of the products you sell or the food you serve and present them in an attractive way to your customers. People won’t be able to resist whatever you have taken a photo of. When you focus attention on specific products or services, those products gather special attention and gather a lot of attention from potential customers. It’s a great way to advertise products without any cost to you.

How do I connect with customers on Instagram?

In the same way you can tag people in Facebook photos and add hashtags on Twitter, Instagram offers these tools too. What does this mean? Customers can do the marketing for you! They can take photographs inside your business and of your products then share it with their friends. This is commonly done these days. People endorse products and places on Instagram and that means more business for you in the end.

What should I not do on Instagram as a business owner?

Don’t just take photographs of all your products and hope they all get attention. This will detract from your goals on Instagram. Pick and choose products you want to highlight. And when choosing these products, do keep in mind how they will translate in photographs. Lastly, as with all social media marketing, keep things mostly professional!

Instagram is a really effective and creative way to show off your favorite aspects of your business. It’s simple and cost effective and that’s something that all business owners could use a bit more of in their lives.

Above all, remain positive with your social media!

Contact StepUpYourRep for a free consultation today for more information about StepUpYourRep’s Social Media Services.

So you know you need to get involved with social media, but you’re really not sure to how to navigate social media as a business owner. Should you be on all of the social media websites?  What kind of posts should you make on facebook vs. twitter? These, among other questions, are probably what make you hesitate about the whole social media marketing craze.  Don’t be disenchanted with social media and avoid it, it’s a cost free and relatively risk free way to advertise. Consulting with specialists might be a good option for you, but to get a head start on the whole process, we have a beginner’s guide to social media.

Twitter

Twitter is the best social media website for the clever minded business owner. Marketing through Twitter is about being quick and on the ball.

What’s the best way to market my business in a unique way in 140 characters?

Don’t say the same thing every time you tweet. If someone follows your business, it’s not because they want to hear your business’ mission statement every 24 hours. Think of new things to say about your business, or even just how your day is going. Not everything has to be so rigid on Twitter if you own a small and local business.

How can I get people to actually follow and retweet me?

Your followers want the unexpected but they do expect you to maintain a rhythm to your tweets. This is where that “quick” aspect comes in. You should always be thinking of new things to say to your Twitter followers that will keep them checking your tweets. Remember: To get some love, you also have to give some love. Follow and retweet other people, especially when they tweet about your business. Keep up to date with current events and involve yourself in the community through Twitter.

What should I not do on Twitter as a business owner?

Decide the tone of your Twitter (Professional or Personal) from the beginning. And even if you do decide to make your business’ Twitter personal, always keep it professional in some aspects. This means you should always question whatever you post before you post it, is it too personal or political?

Don’t let Twitter intimidate you, those 140 characters fill up quicker than you can imagine once you get started.

Above all, remain positive with your social media!

Contact StepUpYourRep for a free consultation today for more information about StepUpYourRep’s social media services.