You may or may not be new to running a business, but if you’re reading this article then I can safely assume you’re new to marketing your business online. Since that’s the case, welcome to social media marketing! In this article, you’ll learn three social media marketing tips for beginners. Use these tips to lay the foundation for your online business activity.

There are millions of social media users. There are over four billion daily internet users. These days it’s vital to business growth and longevity to have a social media presence.

But just being on social media isn’t enough.

Over the years, I’ve known countless business owners who set up their social media accounts under the Field of Dreams mentality. Do you remember that fan-favorite movie? If not, here’s a recap.

A farmer (played by Kevin Costner) is tending to his crops when he hears a mysterious voice from the cornfield that says, “If you build it, he will come.” Long story short, the farmer listens to the voice and builds a baseball diamond in the middle of his cornfield. Eventually, this magical baseball field becomes populated by the spirits of great players who come back to the land of the living just to play ball. Once the word gets out, people start coming in droves to watch these legends in action.

That’s the difference between movie magic and real life. In the movies, we always get that desirable happy ending. However, that isn’t necessarily the case in real life. Sure, anybody can start a business but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be profitable. Likewise, anybody can create a social media profile for online visibility but that doesn’t mean that people are automatically going to “like,” “follow,” or “subscribe” just because your page exists online.

Convey the Right Message Online

First things first. If you’re expecting people to pay for your services and products, then it’s up to you to provide solid proof that you are deserving of their hard-earned money. You can start doing this by positioning yourself as a recognized and trusted expert. Let them see that you take your business seriously. Project this air of professionalism in your branding, image, and messaging.

As noted earlier, it’s important to start with a firm foundation. Here are three social media marketing tips for beginners. Use these tips to start developing an online marketing strategy for your business.

3 Social Media Marketing Tips For Beginners

  1. Get Clear on Your Audience
    Consider the following questions:
    Where can you find your audience?
    Where do these people hang out online?
    Which channels are they primarily using?
    Can you find them easily?

There are so many social media platforms to choose from that it’s easy to get lost and confused. Remember, you don’t need to be on every single platform. Unless you have a big marketing budget and can afford to have a team of people managing multiple accounts then focus your attention where it matters most. Master one platform before moving on. Don’t be a jack of all trades.

  1. Engage with Your Audience
    I cringe every time I see a business failing to interact with its audience, or sometimes responding weeks or months after the initial comment or question was made. Your audience is contacting you for a reason. They require your assistance, support, or expertise. It’s up to you to answer the call.Spend a few minutes each day responding to comments, answering questions, and building relationships with your audience. Don’t become fixated on the numbers. Focus on quality over quantity.

I see a lot of business owners complaining that they don’t have enough followers. These people want (or feel entitled to) thousands of followers, but at the same time, they are ignoring the people who are already there.

If you can’t speak to a small room of people, then you’ll never be able to communicate in a packed arena. Start by having conversations with the people who have already chosen to follow, support, and engage with you online. Do this right, and the masses will come! 

  1. Be Yourself
    Authenticity goes a long way. Don’t mimic others. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. Just be yourself. It’ll make things so much simpler than trying to maintain a façade just to impress others.

Incorporate these three tips into your online activity and make it a regular practice. You don’t need to be on social media all day long. Manage your time wisely. Engaging with your audience for a few minutes a day will go a long way to building a strong online following and community.

Get Even More Social Media Marketing Tips For Beginners

Once you’ve established a firm foundation with these three social media marketing tips for beginners, you’ll want to start developing a strong online business strategy.

This is where I can help you!

Contact me to schedule a free consultation and let’s discuss an online marketing strategy that works for you and fulfills your business needs.

 

Rich

About Rich

My name is Rich Perry and I am a Communication Strategist. I help you build the brand your customers will trust. Entrepreneurs who have an important message to share, hire me when they want to design an optimized and powerful communication strategy to reach their audience, build brand authority, and turn casual visitors into lifelong customers.