Here in the digital age, a solid social media presence is more than just a good idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s nearly as essential as having a driver\u2019s license or an ID card \u2014 a necessary part of your public-facing identity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These days, it truly is your social media feeds that tell your story to curious onlookers \u2014 your values, interests, goals, preferred pastimes, and anything else you consider important that others know about you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is as much the case for businesses, companies, and brands as it is for individuals, so an active, well-maintained social media presence is an absolute must. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But building a successful one requires more than just a few random posts, link shares<\/strong>, or mentions here and there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a skill in social media marketing<\/a> that needs to be learned and mastered. Here\u2019s a closer look at what you need to know to do just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back in 2019, there were approximately 2.77 billion users<\/a> on social media worldwide, and those numbers have only continued to climb since. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Social media isn\u2019t just a part of life for these people. It\u2019s something they\u2019ve integrated into multiple facets of their everyday routine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People use social media to keep up with everyone, from friends and relatives to favorite celebrities, as well as the news. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But they also rely on it for cues on which brands to trust with their business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A social media presence is defined as the frequency with which an individual<\/strong>, company, or other entity posts to their platform(s) of choice and engages with other users there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The type of content posted, as well as the quality level and overall reach of it, factors into the success of a given social media presence, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to research conducted in 2020, 42 percent of people<\/a> say they rely on social media to conduct valuable research on products, services, and brands before making a purchase decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n About 25 percent regularly follow brands they buy from (or are thinking <\/em>of buying from) on social media, and 48 percent actually use social media to contact their brands of choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, a business that isn\u2019t <\/em>on social media is a business that may as well not exist<\/strong> to any of those people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your company\u2019s social media presence is the key to establishing and maintaining a strong, trusted connection with your target audience, as today\u2019s consumers want and expect <\/em>to build relationships with the brands they trust<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your profiles, contributions, and interactions on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and all the rest of the most popular options are incredible ways to make that happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the platforms themselves are leaning into their adopted role as research centers for the products and services their users are interested in, as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of them \u2014 including Facebook, to name just one example \u2014 now include entire sections dedicated to the showcasing, sale, and advertising of various options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So yes, if you currently run a business of any size (or plan to soon), you need <\/em>a social media presence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Otherwise, you\u2019ll almost certainly be missing out on a massive chunk of your potential business<\/strong>, not to mention potentially failing to meet the needs, preferences, and expectations of modern consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you spend much time on social media, it doesn\u2019t take much time to see that some brands completely dominate their feeds while others are just taking up space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And those are just a handful of names to watch<\/a> if you want to see what it looks like when businesses know what they\u2019re doing on social media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to take the first step toward building your own killer presence? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep the following tips in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Facebook, the world\u2019s largest social media platform, first went public back in 2012, social media has exploded in a big way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, there are quite literally thousands <\/em>of different platforms dedicated to different goals \u2014 everything from launching social justice endeavors, to finding old classmates, to generating leads for particular industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally speaking, it\u2019s recommended that all businesses establish presences<\/strong> on the most popular, widely used platforms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, some platforms may be better fits for certain goals than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Facebook is the largest platform, with over 2.8 billion active users. It\u2019s ideal for building relationships with customers and generating large quantities of leads<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Twitter\u2019s strong focus on immediacy makes them fantastic for businesses looking to reach consumers under the age of 50, as well as stay ahead of breaking news and emerging trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n LinkedIn is an excellent choice for companies specializing in B2B services in addition to B2C alternatives for building authority, as well as boosting engagement with peers and clientele.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instagram is a solid choice for businesses looking to leverage the power of visual content<\/a> like photos, videos, and expiring story feeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fast-growing platforms like Pinterest, TikTok, and Snapchat also bring a lot to the table, so give some thought to who your audience is and what they\u2019re into. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then meet them on the platforms where they like to hang out most.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Start by setting a goal as far as what you\u2019re looking to accomplish with social media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Answers to questions like those will influence a lot of your upcoming decisions. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples include how you\u2019ll handle customer service<\/a>, how you\u2019ll design the look of your profiles, and what your posting strategy should be going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, ensure that your social media goals are S.M.A.R.T. \u2014 specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If yours aren\u2019t <\/em>all of these things, it\u2019s time to go back to the drawing board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your goal is the direction in which you\u2019ve decided to move with your social media presence, your content creation strategy is the road map that will get you there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Start by determining which member(s) of your team will be handling your social media presence moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then decide on a posting frequency and create a <\/strong>content calendar<\/strong><\/a> to keep you on track. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Consistency is critical when it comes to social media, as your audience needs to know when they can expect you to show up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As your content strategy<\/a> evolves, you\u2019ll also want to make sure you\u2019re clear on crucial factors like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure you pay attention to which posting frequencies work best on each platform<\/strong>, as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, once or twice a day max is probably ideal for most Facebook or LinkedIn presences. However, Twitter is so fast-moving, more posts are almost always better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it\u2019s true that content is still king when it comes to social media, even the most outstanding content isn\u2019t enough all by itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pay much attention to the most successful brands on social media, and you\u2019ll notice that they never<\/em> just make a few posts and walk away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The whole point of making exciting, entertaining content in the first place is to drive engagement<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve got someone\u2019s attention, use that to connect with them and win their trust. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some key ways to do that include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it\u2019s true that both social media platforms and their users are more open than ever to the idea of on-platform social selling, the sales strategies that work well elsewhere may not apply here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can (and should) promote your products and keep your audience informed about what\u2019s new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But you should also follow the 80\/20 rule when curating your social media feed. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This means no more than 20 percent of your posts should be promotional in nature. The rest should drive growth by serving the needs and preferences of your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your company\u2019s social media presence has more in common with your personal one than you might think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like you, your brand has a <\/strong>unique identity<\/strong><\/a>, personality, voice, and approach.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The sooner you figure out what those things look like for your brand, the better, because everything you post across all of your platforms should be in line with that image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use distinctive, consistent, high-quality visuals on all profiles, including logos and headshots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can, minimize the number of staff members adding to your collective social media presence, as each person will bring something of their own voice to the table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And always make sure all team members are 100 percent familiar with the image<\/strong> you\u2019re looking to present to your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Great social media personalities do more than just keep their audiences entertained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They drive traffic and generate additional interest in what they\u2019re doing by chiming in on current trends, breaking news, and hot topics that have everyone talking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Brands can do this just as effectively as individuals can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Twitter is actually a great resource for this, as it\u2019s filled with short, digestible bits of information about everything from industry news, to local events, to the latest Netflix show people are binge-watching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pay attention to these things, and look for ways to correlate them with your brand<\/strong> where appropriate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow, read, and contribute to trending hashtags to jump into hot conversations, as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social media influencers<\/a> are huge these days, with some commanding large enough followings to rival those of major celebrities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t be afraid to work with influencers that could be right for your brand<\/strong> to reach new people or expand your reach into untapped demographics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow them, reach out to them, and try to develop a relationship with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some may be willing to discuss your brand via their feeds in exchange for some of your products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Others consider themselves to be professional social media influencers and may be open to discussing long-term sponsorships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Either way, the support of the right influencers is the powerful <\/strong>social proof<\/strong><\/a> many people need to finally pull the trigger on a purchase they\u2019ve been considering or a new brand that\u2019s causing a lot of buzz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social media isn\u2019t static. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Platforms grow and evolve all the time, as do the algorithms they use to show content to potentially interested users. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The overall use <\/em>of social media is growing, too, with brand new users establishing presences on the most popular networks every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your content, posting, and engagement strategies should evolve alongside those factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping a close eye on your social media metrics and making decisions accordingly<\/strong> is the best way to stay on track. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many tools out there that will be helpful in this regard, including Google Analytics<\/a> and any of the analytics resources that come built-in to most platforms these days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your brand\u2019s social media presence is positively packed with potential when it comes to building your brand identity, connecting to your customers, and exposing your products to a massive new audience looking for exactly what you have to offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n
What is Social Media Presence?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does Every Business Need a Social Media Presence?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
9 Tips for Creating a Killer Social Media Presence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
GoPro\u2019s social media presence really lives up to the brand\u2019s reputation as the producer of the world\u2019s most versatile camera. They add value to platforms by posting incredible photos and frequently engaging with their followers.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Spotify doesn\u2019t just run their accounts like a boss. The unique, creative ads they install in various locations inspire users and artists alike to take and share selfies that include them, adding to their visibility.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Wendy\u2019s is famous for its intelligent, funny tweets. In fact, their fans hang on tenterhooks, waiting eagerly to see what they\u2019ll say next.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n1. Choose the right networks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Facebook<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Twitter<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
LinkedIn <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Instagram <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Establish a clear goal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Come up with a content strategy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Prioritize active, meaningful engagement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Don\u2019t overdo the promotional posts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Develop a unique brand identity and voice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Stay in step with current trends<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Partner with influencers to help grow your brand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Keep an eye on your analytics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wrap Up: It\u2019s all about Social Media Presence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n