How Developing a Social Media Strategy Can Help Local Businesses Succeed
Developing a social media strategy for your local business begins with creating a dedicated account. You can do this by creating a name for your business and setting up different permission levels for different users. Having a specific goal in mind will make it easier to create content. Here are some of the best ways to create content for your local social media accounts:
Using surveys and other data to analyze your audience’s preferences can help you design a successful social media strategy. Surveying your current customer base can help you figure out what they like and dislike about your brand. Sprout Social offers a comprehensive list of demographics for the most popular social networks. For example, GrubHub uses Snapchat to surprise its audience. PureOm Hot Yoga uses Instagram to promote its services.
When developing a social media strategy for your local business, it is important to define the target audience first. Then, focus on finding ways to reach more people who are similar to your target audience. The Great Courses Plus boosted their audience quickly by offering an extended free trial. They also targeted audiences in various markets across the United States using lookalike audiences to target those most similar to their existing customers. Their average monthly subscription rate grew by more than ten times!
Small businesses can also create videos for local audiences. These can attract lots of attention, especially if they are videos. Outreach campaigns can also help boost your local search rankings and earn backlinks. It’s worth noting that many small businesses fail to recognize the value of social media and fail to convert likes and shares into customers. Instead, they should consider creating a campaign for local heroes. Small businesses should not have to pay for the initial followers on Facebook, as they can create awareness by promoting their business on local websites and through signage.
When creating a social media strategy, make sure to set attainable goals that will actually help your business grow. Set quarterly goals that will help you assess whether your strategy is working or not. In addition to setting goals, it is essential to track the progress you are making. By using social media analytics, you can gauge the results of your campaigns and make changes to improve them. You should also create a strategy that is based on your business objectives.
Use eye-catching visuals to create an impact. Images that are clear and stunning will make people stop scrolling and pique their curiosity. Stock photos can also showcase your intentions if you can’t take original photos. Visually appealing content has more impact than text-heavy posts. Additionally, images trigger a different cognitive response, leading to better retention of information. If you are in the local business industry, you may want to consider partnering with businesses that operate in the same industry.
Choose a social media platform that works for your type of business. For example, LinkedIn is best for business-to-business (B2B) businesses; a pizza parlor won’t do well on Instagram. In addition, Snapchat is best for businesses that cater to corporate professionals and B2B clients. Regardless of your business’s size, social media is essential to success. However, it is important to consider the size of your marketing budget when developing a social media strategy.