One of the most popular pieces of advice you’ll hear when asking how to promote your online business is to consistently share posts related to your business so that people become aware of what you do.
However, what you seldom hear is that simply posting about your business doesn’t guarantee sales.
Now, don’t get me wrong—posting about your business is important as it helps familiarize people with your brand and establishes an online presence.
But is merely posting enough to get your prospective customers to buy your products or services?
Big No.
So, if posting alone isn’t the answer to getting customers online, how do you promote your business in a way that makes your prospects buy from you?
Read on to discover five foolproof ways to use social media to effectively market your business:
1. Engage with Your Audience
Imagine having a conversation with someone who doesn’t respond or only gives an occasional nod. You’d get tired of the conversation after a while, right?
It’s the same with your business. When customers share, like, or comment on your posts, return the favor by engaging with them in the comments section. You can also like and comment on their posts from time to time. Doing this makes your prospects feel seen and acknowledged. This, in turn, not only encourages them to buy from you but also inspires them to spread the word about your business.
2. Use the Right Social Media Platform
The social media platform you use can make or break your business. Each platform serves different functions and appeals to different audiences. For instance, 85% of Instagram’s audience is younger than 45, so if your business targets people in their 50s, Instagram might not be the best platform to promote your business.
Before choosing a social media platform, research its audience thoroughly to ensure it aligns with your target market.
3. Build a Community, Not Just Followers
Ever come across a social media account with thousands of followers, but only a handful of people engaging with their posts?
This is a perfect example of prioritizing follower count over building a community.
When you focus on building a community, you attract people who consistently engage with your business and are willing to spread the word about it. While building a community takes more effort, it’s worth it because these people have a genuine interest in your business. They’re not just following for the sake of it.
4. Analyze Your Competitors
Your competitors are those who offer the same products or services as you. If you sell laptop accessories, for example, another laptop accessories vendor is your competitor. Let’s say they’re doing well, even better than you—this is the time to take notes. But remember, never copy them. Instead, observe what they’re doing and then do it your way, in line with your brand.
Things to observe include: What kind of content do they post most often? When do they post? How do they price their products? What do their customers like most about their business—customer service, pricing, or quality?
By answering these questions, you can make informed changes to promote your products more effectively and increase your sales.
5. Post Valuable Content
There’s no faster way to chase away potential customers than by constantly bombarding them with promotional content. Of course, you need to promote your business, but excessive promotion can come across as off-putting to your prospects.
Instead, strike a balance between content that promotes your business and content that provides value to your audience.
For example, if you’re a fashion designer who posts three times a week, instead of advertising your business all three times, you could promote your business once and use the other two posts to share informative content—such as trending styles or tips on where your audience can find affordable fabrics.
The goal of these posts is to position yourself as someone who genuinely cares about your audience’s needs, not just their money. When people see that you have their best interests in mind, they’ll begin to trust you—and ultimately, they’ll be more likely to do business with you.
For any business to succeed on social media, multiple factors need to come together. By implementing these strategies to promote your business on social media, your online marketing efforts are bound to deliver excellent results!
