How to Build Your Social Media Following

Oftentimes when I meet with clients and review their Social Media sites I discover they don’t have very many followers. In order to get your message out to your target market, you have to build a following. So how do you do that given the constraints and algorithms of social media, particularly Facebook and Facebook business pages.

First, we must understand why people are on Facebook. Why are you on Facebook? To connect with your friends, to be entertained, look for recommendations, sell stuff, get information? It’s different for everyone. So, if you have a business fan page, you need people to ‘Like’ your page, so that when you post on your business page, some percentage of those who ‘Like' your page will see your posts. And you also have to realize that not everyone who ‘Likes’ your page will see your posts. With that in mind, is it worth your time?  The answer is yes, if you’re willing to do the work to get a following.

Here’s some recommendations to help to build your following:

-        First make sure you have a complete

Facebook business page. Complete your about section and describe your business. There is a place for a short description and a place for a long description. Hours of operation. Complete all the sections.

-        Brand your business. Invest in a logo and corporate colors. Ensure your branding is consistent across all social media sites. When someone goes looking for you on their favorite social media site, you want to be easily recognizable.

-        Have a custom professional banner. If you want people to call you, make sure your phone # is in the banner. If you’re a plumber, no one wants to scroll down the page to find your phone # if their toilet is running over.

-        Set up a custom URL, i.e. www.facebook.com/nameofyourbusiness - not something that ends in a bunch of #s and funny characters.

-        Make sure your Facebook page is verified.

-        Start with your family, friends, employees, clients, and prospects. Invite them all to like and share your page.
-        Send an email or snail mail to all your clients and prospects and ask them to 'Like' your page.

-        If you have a brick and mortar place of business, post a sign in the window, at the counter, and print it on the client’s receipt - Like us on Facebook - Follow us on Twitter.

-        Make sure all your marketing material, website, business card, email signature line, etc. has your social media links on them.

-        As you start posting content on your page, ask your closest family, friends, and employees (if you have them) to ‘Like,’ Share, and Comment. The more ‘Likes’, Shares, and comments you get, the more Facebook with show your posts to others. It’s called engagement. The more interesting and engaging your material is, the more Facebook will show it.

-        Post images. Original interesting images. Original engaging content. Yes, you can find material on the internet to share, but Facebook likes originality best.

-        Videos are great. Again, original material. No more than 3 to 5 minutes. Also, go back and edit and caption your videos. Sometimes people are in places where they do not want to turn up the sound on videos, so if it isn’t captioned, they won’t watch.

-       For your content, don’t just post about your business, but post about yourself, your community involvement, a day in the life of, your story, your passion, demonstrations, before and after, etc. Think in terms of reality shows. Your Facebook Business page is your business reality show. People want to know about you, so don’t make it all about your business. Think ‘Infotainment.’
-        Feature some of you clients on your page.  Tag people in your posts.  People love recognition.

-        Post about current events, holidays - especially the ones that have something to do with your business. If you’re into healthy eating, Aug. 8th was ‘NATIONAL SNEAK SOME ZUCCHINI INTO YOUR NEIGHBOR’S PORCH DAY.’

-        Hashtag your posts, i.e. #hashtagyourposts #socialmedia
#morelikesandshares. Why? This makes your content searchable especially if it relates to some current event or trend.

-        Be consistent in your posting. A Facebook business page is not like a website. If there are no consistent posts, then Facebook, after a period of time, has the right to shut down the page. So be active. At least post a couple of times a week. You can schedule posts to a Facebook business page.

-        Link pages together when possible, i.e. link your Facebook business page to a Twitter business page, so that when you post on one site, it will appear on the other.
-        On LinkedIn you can post links to all your social media sites. 

-        Set up a YouTube channel. Link your Facebook page to your YouTube channel.

-        If you have a visual product like a florist, set up an Instagram account and a Pinterest Account.
-        Use an application like Hootsuite to manage your social media and to only have to post in one place. 

-        Study your ‘Insights,’ and your stats. See what gets more ‘Likes’, comments, and shares? Post more material like that. For instance, I have a travel agent that I post for, but when she posts about some of her personal travels, those posts get more ‘Likes,’ shares, and comments.

-        Follow those in the same industry as you to see what they do. Don’t copy them, but use it to learn better what to post for you.

-        Be social as your page - ‘Like,’ comment, and share other’s pages posts especially if it’s in the same general field as yours. This helps with your following because it’s not always about you. You have to give to get.  Hopefully they will return the favor. 

-        Join groups that relate to your business, local sites, Women In Business’ allows you to post links to your Facebook page, website, post specials, etc.

-        From time to time, boost a post. Spend $20 bucks from time to time (not all the time) and boost a post in order to gain a larger following.

-       Get Reviews.  Those clients that praise and rave about your product or service, ask them to write a review on your Facebook business page.  Be sure and thank them when they do.  The more positive reviews you have the more creditable you will appear to your followers.

What else have you found that helps to build your following? Your comments and feedback are welcomed and appreciated.

Here are some other articles I have written in the past. They have some of the same information, but also have additional tips not mentioned in this article.

- 'Social Media - It's about being social'
- 'How are you building your following on Social Media'
- 'Tips for Growing Your Business with Social Media'

Building a following is not rocket science, it just takes time, work, and a little creativity.

If you need a little help, let us know, that is what we do.  

We appreciate your comments and feedback.  Send us an email, or you can provide feedback on our Facebook page as well as our blog.

 

Oh and BTW - We would appreciate it if you would 'Like' our  Facebook page.

Happy Posting,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

'Helping You and Your Business Look Good'

Enlarging Your Internet Footprint

In today’s digital environment, it’s not enough just to have a website.  There is way to much competition to be expected to be found, much less get business simply by having a website.  Even corporations these days have a full time staff just to handle their company’s internet presence and social media.

But let’s talk about what a small business owner can do to increase their Internet Footprint and increase their chances of being found by those searching for them, i.e. those who are wanting to purchase their products and services.   

Here is a list of 10 things to do to expand Your Internet Footprint:

1. First of all, get very specific about what you are offering in the way of products and services.
2. Then think in terms of what and how the potential client would search for those products and services.
3.  Purchase Domain Names using the search criteria from item #2.  It doesn’t matter that you have named your business ‘ABC Products and Services,’ you can have multiple Domain Names which point to your website.  I recommend that every business should have a minimum of 5 Domain Names based on how potential clients would search for their products or services.  All these Domain Names can be re-directed to their website.  It’s like putting road signs out on the internet highway.  
4. Get listed in multiple locations.  Set up accounts, i.e. Facebook Business FanPage, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google Plus, *Google Places, YouTube, *FourSquare, *Yelp, *YP Pages, etc.  The more places your business is listed, the more chances you have of being found when people search for your products and service.  (*If you have a physical location, these are a must).
5. Be interactive on Social Media.  Engage your audience.  It’s not enough to just set up the accounts, there must be an ongoing presence.  Depending on your business, post about what’s going on, industry trends, photos of your work, happy customers with your products, videos, surveys, ask questions, run contests, offer specials/coupons, etc.
6.   Also, part of being interactive in social media is liking, commenting, and sharing other people’s products and services also.  Don’t just be pushing your products and services because that is a one way street.
7. Get testimonials about how great your products and services are.  Ask your best clients to write a review.  These testimonials can be written on your Facebook Business Fan Page, Yelp, FourSquare, Google Places, etc.  Again the more positive reviews you have, the better your chances of being found when people are search for your products and services.
8. Become the expert in your niche.  Add a blog to your website or set up a separate site.  Even better than blogging is video blogging.  Short 3 to 5 minute ‘Did you know?’ videos about some aspect of your business.  Post these on a regular consistent basis.  And when you post, make sure you announce that you have posted a new blog on all your social media sites.
9.  Link all your sites.  Think in terms of creating a spider web.  List your social media sites on your website.  Link your Facebook Business page to your Twitter account.  Link your Twitter account to your LinkedIn account.  Also, most other accounts ask for or allow you to list your social media sites.
10. Build your list so that you can keep in touch with your clients and prospects.  By keeping in touch with your clients, they will appreciate the follow up and will always have your contact info should they wish to purchase again or refer you.  Prospects don’t always buy the first time, but by keeping in touch and providing them with helpful information you build your credibility for future business.  I recommend Constant Contact for email marketing and it provides features to link in your social media.

Lastly, if you don’t have the time to do it yourself, hire someone to do it for you.  This list is basically many of the services I offer.  Most of these tasks are tedious and time consuming, but necessary to increase a business’s Internet Footprint.  By getting the help need, you will increase your business which in the long run will be well worth the initial investment.  Contact me today to see if I can be of help with your Internet Footprint.

In appreciation,

Annette

www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com

“Helping My Clients and Their Business Look Good”

Staying Organized

I recently took part in a discussion with a group of other ladies on tips that help us stay organized.  

Here are the highlights of our discussion on Organization.  

• Use apps that are available for smart phones and IPad, i.e. check lists, To Do lists, etc.  Great for repetitive lists like groceries, packing, weekly reminders, etc.

• Use color coded bags or monogrammed bags for different businesses, meetings, crafts, projects, etc.

• Use color coded file folders.  I like to use Red for Urgent/Priority, Green for money matters, etc.

• Toodledo app was suggested to use as a task and note manager.  There is a free version.  It will organize your to-do list and notes, and make you more productive. You can use Toodledo as a standalone application, or you can synchronize with Toodledo.com, one of the most popular online task managers.  I have started using this and it is wonderful.  I have it synced to my IPhone and IPad.  The image used here is from the IPad app.  Here is the website - http://www.toodledo.com/info/iphone.php. 

• Book suggested – ‘Getting Things Done’ – available on Amazon - http://tinyurl.com/p5ml7gw

• Make a schedule.  Make an appointment with yourself.

• Work with Vertical files and stand up papers that you are working on.  Makes papers more visible and easier to find until completed.

• Hire someone to do the things that are not our strengths.  It was also suggested to contact NAPO, The National Association of Professional Organizers, they have people who are working on their accreditation and would be willing to do work with you for free.  Here is their website - www.napo.net

•  Speaking of NAPO, each of their Professional Organizers usually have their own speciality.  I subscribe to two newsletters from NAPO POs and get great tips from both.  You can find local organizers in your area on their website - www.napo.net

• I also subscribe to a daily ezine from Unclutterer.com, which provides great organizational tips. 

• Pinterest is another great place for organizing tips.  You can use the search feature to find specific ideas for organizing and you can subscribe to different boards.  Here is a link to my board on organizing -   Pinterest.com/paintedladyent/organization/

I hope this has been helpful.  Please share your organizing tips.

Happy Organizing,

Annette
www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"