Let’s begin with the question. What is Social Media?
Google defines Social Media as:
“Interactive forms of media that allow users to interact with and publish to each other, generally by means of the internet.”
and we can safely say that’s what it is.
It’s the interaction part that gives social media the edge over other forms of published media. We can read, discuss and contribute in so many different ways bringing the ‘social’ part of this media to life.
Now you could argue that you can also comment/discuss on blogs (such as this one), giving you a voice on the subject that is being written about. That is true. However, the conversation is usually limited to the person commenting and the writer. On blogs put out by influencers, the conversation can be more significant. But they are nothing compared to the impact that gained on social media.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and all the others classified as social media platforms are, in fact, websites just like this one (very broadly speaking). Read my post, The History of Social Media. But the massive difference is that these platforms are open to anyone. Any individual can post content that is then seen, shared and commented on by far more people than would see them elsewhere.
Now it’s one thing to be having conversations with friends on these platforms, but how do you actually generate business?
There are two steps out of several that I recommend. But before I name them, let me tell you a story.
When I first entered the world of social media, it began with Facebook. For many years I was incredibly protective of my profile. Only people I knew, in other words, had physically met, had a coffee with or known for a while (you get the picture) would I accept as a ‘friend’. I wasn’t on it very often, and when I did, it was simply to share family adventures and personal thoughts.
Then I developed a website, and with that came a business page. Back then, these pages were very much in one’s feed, and I soon increased the number of followers, much to my delight. I also opened a Twitter account and a bit later followed it with Instagram.
Ah, but changes were in the air. Facebook moved the goalposts, and I soon noticed that the reach my business page had enjoyed dropped dramatically.
By now, I was getting a lot of friend requests, and up until the changed playing field, I ignored them.
I am a curious person, and I love to delve into the why’s and wherefores of things and facebook’s change of direction for pages was one such conundrum I happily burrowed into.
My findings. Groups were the new way to go. Here one could mix in with other like-minded souls and use them in much the same way I had used my business page.
But there was a hitch. To join a group (well, most of them), you had to join with your personal profile rather than your business page.
It didn’t take me long to understand that others in the group would look at my profile to see who I was. Gosh, I was doing the same thing! That’s when the light bulb went off. Turn my profile into a public profile and subtly advertise my business. It has paid off.
This brings me to the two recommended steps.
- Turn your profile into a public one and show off what you do with your cover. Have some ‘personal’ posts, but also post about your business.
- Join selected groups and be active within them, so people get to know and trust you.
Doing these two things will go a long way to generating business through Facebook. It will give you the reach and visibility you need to advance your business.
I can certainly help you with your social media, along with your blog and newsletter. Please click through to my services HERE