Keeping up with the latest social channels, their functionalities, features, stickers, stories, etc. can feel like a full-time job ….. and it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re like most small business owners, you\u2019re probably juggling many other responsibilities, such as hiring employees, reviewing sales, overseeing daily activities, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we compiled this list of 10 social media best practices just for you. You\u2019ll find tips for every aspect of social media in business, from listening and engagement to publishing and advertising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may be asking yourself, what makes social media so great anyways?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Businesses and individuals bring their own voice, tone, and approach to social media. So as you read these 10 tips, think about how you can personalize them for your unique business goals, customers, and challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first step in the social listening<\/a> game plan is tuning your antenna to the right channels. You probably already know that Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are smart places to start listening. But depending on your industry and customers, you may find that forums, Snapchat, Instagram, TripAdvisor, Yelp, or other sites are just as important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social selling doesn\u2019t always mean conversion directly as a result of social. Usually, it\u2019s about social media managers getting the assist from their sales teams. For example, someone might tweet that she\u2019s thinking about buying a new BMW, and the local BMW dealership chimes in with a useful video. Look for these kinds of opportunities \u2014 and also times when someone may not be so happy with your #1 competitor. Social selling opportunities are everywhere once you start looking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few years ago, social share buttons exploded. Suddenly Facebook and Twitter logos covered every surface of brick-and-mortar stores and websites. We\u2019ve since learned that share buttons should be used more strategically. Use social media buttons to let people know about a new network you\u2019ve expanded to (maybe Snapchat or Instagram) or to indicate where they can get quick customer service, and always provide a valuable reason they should connect with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Big numbers of fans provide an ego boost and may help your boss see that you\u2019re doing a great job. But what you really want is to grow your audience responsibly and sustainably. The old-fashioned formula of sharing consistent and valuable content, sending timely responses, and acting like a human still works for growing your audience on any social platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it\u2019s important to stay in the loop and maintain social relationships, posting too often can turn off your audience. Delivering focused, exciting content less often will yield better results and help you grow your following. Create a content calendar<\/a> with a posting schedule and stick to it. Everyone in your social media audience is busy \u2014 and they\u2019ll appreciate clear and concise communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve accumulated a ton of knowledge about your industry, products, and services. Share what you\u2019ve learned with your customers and community and help them become experts in their own right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few approaches:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t always have to have all the answers. Just be helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When someone has negative things to say about your company, respond quickly and don\u2019t delete the post from your page if it\u2019s on a network like Instagram or Facebook where comments can be deleted. Your customers may view deletion as a sign your brand is dishonest and trying to hide the truth. And don\u2019t feed the trolls \u2014 stay focused on constructive criticism. If someone is clearly out to tarnish your name, it\u2019s best not to play into their game on social media. Instead, send them your customer service email address or phone number and ask them to contact you directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smart social media managers understand that each social network is its own entity. Even if you want to share the same thing (like a big product announcement) across mediums, make sure you\u2019re using each social network the way it\u2019s meant to be used \u2014 and to the best of its abilities. For example, a Facebook post doesn\u2019t need to be under 280 characters like a tweet and can include larger image sizes than an Instagram post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the biggest benefits of building a large social network is the ability to test new copy and concepts with that audience. Experiment with different headlines and post types to find what might work in an email subject line. Look back on your most retweeted content to get ideas for new content marketing efforts. Your social audience is a great petri dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Listen for social selling opportunities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Put share buttons in strategic places<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Grow your audience the right way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. Be mindful of oversharing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. Help your customers become experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
7. Deal with negative feedback swiftly and skillfully<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
8. Respect the rules of each channel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
9. Test ideas for new marketing campaigns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
10. Use tracking URLs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n