The Importance of Social Media for Your Business During These Times
If you aren’t utilizing it, you should be.
These days, a website just isn’t enough. Times are different, and with people spending more of their time at home rather than going about life in a way we now think of as our ‘normal,’ social media presence is crucial. If you think about it, a website can be found with a simple Google search or by the complete URL, but the people who know it are most likely already your clients. What about the other hundreds of thousands of people who have never heard of your business, but may be looking for something just like it? That’s where social media can come into play.
Social media can seem easy enough to brush off, or something so complicated you never wanted to start with it in the first place. Big brands have a social media presence, but they necessarily never needed it. This year alone, I know more people who have started their own small businesses, like boutiques and coffee shops, and are using a social media presence as a way to get their clientele established. It has done wonders for them, and especially now where people are more comfortable doing their shopping from home. You may be thinking now “where do I start?”
One word: Facebook.
Anyone and everyone I know is on Facebook, and it is one of the easier sites to get accustomed to. All you have to do is have someone that is just a little tech-savvy and you’re good to go! Facebook is great because not only can you tailor it to have the exact same information as your website, but you can communicate with your clients and potential clients almost immediately. Start by creating a business page that links to your website, give it a title (your business name), and add all of your business’s information, like hours, contact information, description, and some photos so your business is easily recognizable. By creating the Facebook page for your business, you have a gateway to client engagement and can provide the latest updates about your business. This has been especially helpful for businesses that make updates every so often to abide by COVID-19 restrictions. Once you get this down, that’s when you can really focus in on insights and tracking page information, but one step at a time.
Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and other social media platforms are all niche-based in a way. Instagram is more for visual content; Twitter is great for creating and adding to conversations; LinkedIn is for professional networking; Pinterest is a content curation platform used for gathering ideas and separating them into different ‘boards’. I will always say starting with Facebook is a great way to get started with a social media presence, but once you have developed a more thorough PR and marketing plan, you may find out that another platform is best for your business.
Whatever platform you do decide to use, or if you use all of them, a major key is consistency, even on your website. Keeping the content of your platforms and website cohesive helps clear up any confusion or questions people may have if your Instagram page says one thing, and your website says differently. Consistently post your content, too. Waiting weeks in between posts won’t keep your platform or site relevant. Times are ever changing, as are your audience’s expectations and needs. Consistency is key as always, and can help your business in the long-run. If you ever have questions regarding your PR and marketing plan, be sure to reach out to a professional, because this is the stuff we live for.
By Mika Vickery. Video Introduction by Sydney Brashear
