In an ever-changing world, technology has taken the forefront in the way that we promote our businesses. As the market changes daily, so does the way we communicate with our customers. There are one hundred and one ways to go about promoting your business, and the best option for your brand might not the best option for other brands.

In today’s world, we typically hear that social media is the best way to promote your business and the answer to all your problems, but the truth is that social media is not for everyone. It can be a great platform if used correctly in the correct market, but if used incorrectly it can also hurt you more than it can help. We’re here to give you a few tips and tricks on how to effectively use social media to promote your brand!

Is it right for you?

First, you must figure out if social media is the best way to digitally promote your brand. Not every business necessarily needs a social media platform to be successful in marketing. In order to use social media effectively, you must keep up with your digital presence. You may ask, "Digital presence? What’s that?" Your digital presence lets your customers know that you are there and still available to them. Customers will research a brand on social media, but if they see that the brand has gone silent, say for a year or longer, they will assume the brand no longer exists. You must keep up with your page consistently in order for it to be effective.

Another question to ask yourself is, “Would I want to see this on my own newsfeed?” For many, the answer to this question will tell them if social media is right for them or not. A boutique may do fantastically well on several different social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, because people want to see the latest trends and shop online. However, for say electric companies, though their businesses are just as important, not all social media platforms would benefit them as much as they would a boutique. Where Facebook may be a great option for both the boutique and the electric company, Instagram is more fitting to a boutique’s business. Choosing the platform that is right for you is essential to your business’s social media success.

It is also important to consider your goals for using social media, and what you would like to get out of it. If you are looking to increase brand awareness, build brand loyalty and trust, and interact with your customers, then social media could be a great choice for you.

Stick to a strategy

Once you decide social media is the right way to promote your brand, you need to decide on a strategy to achieve your goals. This strategy will likely differ for every brand. Start by figuring out who your target audience is. Knowing who you are speaking to is critical because these are the people that will be buying your products or services, and the ones you want to start building a relationship with. Next, figure out what types of content you want to produce. Remaining consistent allows your customers to know what they can expect from your brand and shows your brand identity. Consistency also means knowing how often to post. Keeping to a schedule and not over saturating your customers with content is the best way to ensure that you keep your followers.

Sticking to these few strategies is a great way to set your business up for success on social media.

Have a voice within the crowd

We understand that social media can be a bit overwhelming. Sometimes, it may feel as if you’re just one small voice in a very large crowd. However, every brand has the opportunity to be heard if done the right way. Utilizing the tools within the platforms can help you find your own voice and gain followers. Using hashtags in your posts is a great way to be found by a much larger audience. Hashtags make it easier for people to find more about certain topics they are looking for and make a great tool for businesses.

By being interactive and showing your customers who you are, you’ll stand out as more than just another brand. When interacting on social media, you’re seeing your customers in their natural habitat, so be open and honest with them on who you are as a brand–it goes a long way in building trust and building your following.

Mary Vasek is a Marketing Specialist and writer for Atwill Media. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a Minor in Business Management.

When not working, she enjoys spending quality time with friends, attending music events, and hiking.