Not that many years ago, the most common and effective ways to get the word out about a new company were taking out ads in the local paper, advertising on television, mailing out postcards and maybe springing for a fancy billboard on a main road in town.
Now, thanks to the proliferation and popularity of social media, it is easier and more cost efficient than ever to let everyone know that you are officially open for business.
Here are some tips and strategies on how to go about using social media to promote your new company:
Get on Every Platform You Can
If you set up a great business profile on Facebook that tells the world about your amazing new company, that’s great. Now it’s time to up the social media ante a bit and create profiles on other social media platforms. Facebook will not be enough to get the most bang from your social media buck. Set up accounts on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and—if you don’t mind being featured in some videos—on YouTube. Also, if you hope to target younger customers, Snapchat would also be beneficial; Gen Z folks tend to love this site and if you are on there, you should get noticed.
Create Carefully Curated Posts
While social media is definitely a great way to let customers know about your company and what you offer, you can use these platforms for so much more. Think of Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites as tools to help amuse, educate, enlighten and engage with your customers—this means going beyond the basic photos of what you have on sale this week. Look to other companies for inspiration. For example, in addition to promoting its line of products, Amway has used online platforms to help dispel rumors and educate their readers about the company. For instance, when people began to question if Amway is a scam, the company's social media pages set the record straight.
Use a Content Calendar
To stay on top of your social media posts, consider using a content calendar and filling it with a variety of posts including promotions, events, big announcements, funny stories, photos of customers and your products and anything else you feel your customers will like. While some social media platforms like Twitter seem to be especially effective when you post numerous times a day, Facebook users tend to be turned off by multiple posts. You can either have one of your employees help you with the posts or you can handle it all yourself; the important thing is that it gets done consistently. As a side note, if and when people ask questions on your page, it is imperative that you respond to them immediately. JetBlue is known for its dedication to responding to everyone who tags or even mentions its brand. Social media is, after all, social, so people want and expect you to have direct interactions with anyone who posts on your pages.
Used Effectively, Social Media Can Really Help Your Business Take Off
Once you get the hang of it and are set up on a number of sites, social media can be a lot of fun. It’s a great way to connect with current and prospective customers, and it can help to establish your brand and spread the word about your company in ways that even the most effective print ad or commercial cannot. By following these tips and perhaps coming up with other ideas on your own, you should find that you are able to use social media to effectively promote your business.
