As New Year rolls around why not make 2018 the year your business kicks off with a strong online presence. With the new year approaching, it’s a good time to set goals, define directions, and declutter. But, to be a step ahead, starting off the new year with a BANG requires some planning and forethought. If you want to set yourself apart from the pack, why not start now and give your business that fresh New Year’s glow. Even better, plot how you are going to improve your business’s presence on social media.
Take the time this December to set out your goals. This means organising your efforts by deciding on the direction you want to take your business. Reflect on where you are now and where you want to be; ask yourself if you have planned enough for the year ahead. Are you prepared?
Plot Your Schedule
Do you have a set content schedule for social media? Or have you deviated from it, leaving it on the backburner until a better time announces itself? Consistency is key, and if you have found yourself straying from regular posting this past year, plotting and planning might be your recipe for a successful new year. Prepare yourself a social media marketing calendar and decide on how regularly you need to be posting and what sort of content you need to be publishing. If you don’t have time to regularly schedule posts on social media, there are platforms to help you do so. For instance, Facebook lets you schedule posts in advance, and Hootsuite has got you for advance scheduling on platforms like Instagram and Twitter.
Figure Out What Works
The miracle of social media is that it can automatically store and analyse your social media accounts and, rather than having to ask around, the internet can tell you where you’re falling short. People go online because it’s quick and efficient — so make sure your page reflects that. Figure out from your platform’s analytics what’s failing to get interest, and then research what you can do to improve this. If in doubt, look at other similar online businesses that are doing well and study their social media accounts.
Remember the Aesthetics
A common mistake made on business accounts is forgetting about the importance of aesthetics. Your social media accounts should not only act as a second door to your business, but also as a window. Nice, clear images make viewers feel enlightened on your company’s success. Good photos connect to the customer through their aesthetic appeal and are met with positive reception. Ensure what you’re posting is relevant and reflective of your company image. If you don’t have the skills to take your own photos, hire someone who does, or even circulate other’s professional images (just make sure to credit the photographer!).
Proofread Twice.
Sometimes the easiness of social media can be both a bad and a good thing. On one side, you can send out a post in a matter of seconds; on the other side, you forget the importance of taking care with your content. While social media is a demanding platform, keeping up with your viewership without compromising the integrity of your work remains important. Keep your editing consistent. Much like an email from a false millionaire cancer patient, you don’t want your lack of editing to fail you. Check for errors once before posting — and then again after.
Take Risks
The thing with risks is that there is always somewhat of a payoff. You either push yourself forward and enjoy the success, or you learn something new and improve as a person. What can your business afford to take risks on this coming year? One thing more people need to be taking advantage of on social media is the power of influencers. Is there a successful social media account that could promote your business/product? Could you be paying to boost certain posts online? Could your business benefit from a website upgrade? Figure out what you need to be taking risks on and work with it. You never know what success it could bring you.
If you are about to launch your company online or need help developing a new marketing strategy for the new year then contact us today.
Written by Ashley Valli