Let’s Get Social

It is important to be honest, open and accessible when you are using social media channels to engage your audience. By offering valuable and interesting content on a regular basis you can ensure that your audience will keep coming back for more, helping to build a strong online relationship. Here are some tips for getting started on social media…

#KNOW WHO YOU ARE

Know your own business and help potential clients understand what you can do for them. Be sure to include a brief and informative bio along with your company logo, photos of your team and/or products as well as contact information for your business.

#FIND YOUR AUDIENCE

Connect with accounts relevant to your own company or organisation. Look for businesses that are nearby and connect with your local community online. Speak to service users and clients to find out why they like social media – share content that people will find useful.

#BE ENGAGING

Be active on social media – no-one wants to engage with an account that brings nothing to the conversation! Comment, like, share, retweet & regram. Put aside time each day interacting with your online community. Be interested. Be genuine. If something catches your attention share it with your followers, explain why it is of interest/relevant to your audience.

#PROMOTE YOUR BRAND

Talk about what you are doing. Offer followers something unique on each of your social media accounts/website. Post photos, give information about upcoming programmes, events or activities involving your company or organisation. Use preview links to new content on your website to help drive traffic from social media to your site. Post regularly and at a different times throughout the day to engage as many people as possible.

#GET TAGGING

Be sure to tag companies, locations and other people in your posts [@xxx] Thank people for recommendations, suggest upcoming events or interesting things for people to do locally, praise a product or service – include tags in your posts but try to ensure that it is genuine and relevant. Remember that people want honest, genuine opinions from accounts they trust, be responsible when recommending another product or service.

YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

Finally, it is important to keep your audience interested and engaged – mixing media is a great way to do this. Use photos and video to tell your story. Share short snippets of information along with 2/3 pics. Avoid large photo galleries from similar events, instead spread these photos across different social media platforms.
Change how you present your content pieces each day – don’t just say “another new update” or “check us out” – be innovative and make people curious about what is contained in the piece that you are sharing. Keep posts short but be sure to explain fully what is happening or why you are sharing this particular content.
Keep all contacts up-to-date and make sure your clients can find you on social media. Include website and other platform links as well as an email address and contact number for your business or organisation.