Many companies are now signing up for Facebook with the hopes of attracting a larger number and, potentially, more diverse base of customers, but what many small business owners may not know is that there are right and wrong ways to go about using this site. Therefore, taking the time to familiarize oneself with some of the basic good ideas that will likely go a long way toward helping companies develop strong followings on social media.
One of the best ways to engage users on social networks, so that they comment on, like and even share things posted by small businesses, is trying to use something about which they may be passionate as a means of engaging them through some sort of vote, according to a report from Business 2 Community. For instance, finding two things in some way related to a company's brand that many people may love – an eBook company recently pitted Dumbledore against Gandalf – asking users to vote on their favorite is a great way to get people involved.
Moreover, many companies are now making the decision to start occasionally featuring one of their customers on their social media sites, through something as simple as a photo they submitted for a contest, the report said. This will give active customers a reason to become involved in the site and will potentially help to grow small businesses' presence across more than one such platform; but with Facebook as the No. 1 network, used by the largest number of people and most diverse demographics simultaneously, it may be best to make sure this is where all such contests are taking place, and being used to promote Twitter or Instagram accounts.
It might also be smart for companies to try to produce short, funny videos that they can post on YouTube as a means of helping to develop their brand and following, the report said. Of course, these videos shouldn't be trying to sell anyone anything, but keeping them in some way connected to what the company does is of course vital.
Small business owners that want to increase their presence on social media may find that doing so doesn't always come cheap, in terms of time, money, or both. As a result, they may want to seek out more affordable small business insurance coverage as a means of freeing up some extra dollars that can then be committed to other activities, including more comprehensive social networking efforts.
