Social media is a necessity. Post weekly. Some of our clients post for themselves, but many find that hiring a local company to manage their social media gets them better results. Social media is time-consuming and can really help your business when it’s done right. Take time to learn how to post, when to post and remember to check your insights/stats to see what is actually working, and what isn’t. You’re looking for shares, engagement, comments and such.
Whether you’re posting on your own or have a company to help with that, you need to have a well-thought-out, written posting plan/schedule. Nothing should be done on the fly; your social media presence needs to be comprised of a strategic blend of interesting, educational, and entertaining.
It’s a good idea to pick a few social media platforms and post different materials on each. Instagram is very image-oriented, so make sure you have product photos, people’s faces, and exciting posts that lend themselves to getting likes and being shared. Facebook is great for short stories, videos, multiple images, and links to your website. YouTube and Google are one company, so be sure to include some original video content whenever possible in your social mix.
For our business and many others, nothing can substitute for a great website. With a website, you control the narrative. Plus, you never have to compete with links and ads and other companies popping up in weird places. A website is your dedicated space to show and tell the whole world: “This is who we are; this is what we do!” You don’t have to join anything or put in a password to see a website. All you need is a computer, a tablet or a cell phone, and an internet connection!
On a website, you can embed your social media, so posts show on one of your pages. You should write articles ( or contract with someone who can do this for you) for your website, including news, tips, projects, and blog posts. Use keywords that will help your website rank higher in search results. Remember that posting regularly, and frequently updating your website is essential to good Google rankings. And remember to review your Google Analytics to see what is working, and what isn’t. You’re looking for hits, how much time people spent on your site, how quickly they left, (called bounce rate) and more.
In conclusion, your website is a potent tool. Your social media is a powerful tool. Together, and used correctly, they are even more valuable to your business than the sum of their parts.
