It’s Monday morning and you’re gearing up for a busy week ahead. Before you refill your coffee and dive into the day of a small business owner, remember to set your social media strategy up for success by joining the conversation.
Listen closely. Can you hear that? That’s the sound of people talking about your industry, the things you sell, the experiences you offer… maybe even your business itself. Don’t miss out on the gossip—put aside some time at the beginning of each week to search for the conversations that matter to your business.
Not sure where to start? Try this:
Search on social media for groups with common interests
If your business is baby clothes, try searching for ‘new parent’ or ‘infant’ groups.
Follow hashtags that relate to what you sell
If you’re a dental office, seek out hashtags like #perfectsmile or #teethwhitening.
Find influencers
These are people who are active on social media and generally have a large following. Check out what they’re saying, the products their endorsing and the reactions from their followers. Many social media platforms suggest content from influencers, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find.
Use a social media listening tool
If you’re too busy seeing patients, serving customers, or manning the shop, consider a service like Hootsuite that ‘listens’ to social media channels for you. With a free option and affordable upgrades, it’s perfect for small businesses. Let them be your eyes and ears when your hands are full!
Once you’ve found the conversations that matter to your business, engage! Throw a ‘like’ or ‘favourite’ on customer posts or reach out to them with a personalized message (maybe even offer a coupon for your products/services).
Being part of the conversation tells customers that you value their opinion and helps to drive site visits and purchases. I’m sure that now you’re listening!