Whether you are just getting your feet wet in social media or you’re a social media guru, there’s always something to learn. Wherever you are on the spectrum, knowing the answers to these common social media questions will equip you with the knowledge needed to run your campaign, improve your fan base and convert your followers into leads.
1. Which social media platforms do I need to be on?
Answer: It depends
Although you may want to jump on every social network to increase your reach, it is better to take a step back and look at your networks strategically as there is no “one size fits all” way to go about it. My advice is to not go overboard – start by creating and mastering one or two accounts. It is better to be an expert on one or two channels, and know how to effectively use them to benefit your company, than mediocre at five or six. Another great way to approach social media is to pay attention to where your audience is engaging and focus your attention there.
2. How do I grow my network?
Answer: Give people a reason to follow you
An important thing to remember when it comes to followers is quality over quantity. Regardless of what network you are on, you should be looking for quality followers who will engage with your content. According to Zephoria, 4.75 billion pieces of content are shared daily on Facebook. Today, in a world where a smartphone seems to be glued to our hand, we are constantly bombarded with content. Therefore, you need to stand out and give people a reason to follow you.
3. What should I share?
Answer: Share content your audience will benefit from
Social media is all about starting a conversation. Before you spend hours searching for interesting topics and links to share, ask yourself these questions about your audience: Who are they? What are their pain points? What problems are they trying to solve? What are their interests? Identifying and understanding what your audience wants to see will help you create and find relevant content they will enjoy.
4. Should I pay for social media advertising?
Answer: Probably
On a massive platform like Facebook, the chances of your organic posts being seen by your users are slim to none. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all have algorithmic newsfeeds. The algorithm decides which stories will appear in user’s newsfeed, resulting in unpopular posts being hidden. In 2016 alone, organic reach dropped 52%. Depending on your budget, there are different advertising options you can choose from. It is worth it to experiment with social media advertising.
5. My industry is “boring," do I need social media?
Answer: Absolutely
First off, there’s no such thing as a boring industry; every industry is interesting in its own way. From supermarkets to tax services, someone out there is interested in what’s going on in your line of work and possibly passionate about your business. Social media is essentially a free PR platform that allows you to directly target your audience, so why wouldn’t you use it?! In this day and age, 78% of Americans have at least one social media account. Odds are, your target customers have an account on at least one platform.
