Creative Ways To Build A Social Media Following
Social media is redefining the way we live. Everything we do--how we communicate, receive information, do business, and stay in touch--are all new opportunities to approach and engage your audience, online. How do you get their attention?
Social media is redefining the way we live. Everything we do--how we communicate, receive information, do business, and stay in touch--are all new opportunities to approach and engage your audience.
Today, the number of social media users is at a staggering 2.34 billion. This number is projected to increase further to 2.51 billion in 2017 and almost 3 billion in 2020. As a result, businesses the world over are looking to social media for new markets and opportunities.
In marketing, social media has proven more effective than traditional outlets in building trust and engagement among customers. Studies show that 51% of Facebook users and 64% of Twitter users are more likely to do business with brands they follow online. Additionally, over half of consumers take to social media to solicit opinions before deciding on an item or service.
Through social media, businesses and brands can develop their own personas and, as an effect, interact with customers more intimately. The result is increased customer engagement and improved credibility. Looking for a way to establish your brand in social media? Here are Creative Ways To Build A Social Media Following.
1. Blog, Blog, Blog
Businesses that blog are 13 times more likely to attain positive ROI on their advertising dollars. Moreover, 70% of consumers prefer to get acquainted with businesses through blog articles instead of ads. And not only that, but companies like Marccx Media have found content to be the #2 ranking factor in Google’s algorithm and an important tool in building links to your website, which happens to be the #1 ranking factor in Google’s algorithm.
Instead of bombarding your customers with banners and pop-up ads, engage them with thoughtful and meaningful content. The more useful and creative your content, the more likely it will stick--and, hopefully, translate into leads and sales.
2. Go Visual
Visual content such as images and videos get up to 650 times more engagement than text. In case you’re wondering, that’s a lot.
In this day and age, where the competition for customer attention is stiff, visual content is a good way to deliver content quickly and clearly. Visual content allows you to capture your audience’s attention in a matter of seconds, or, more accurately, milliseconds.
3. Build Relationships With Influencers
One of the best ways to build a following is to partner with a personality who already has one.
Influencers are some of the most prominent and sought out figures on the Internet. Their opinions matter to thousands, sometimes even millions of people all over the globe. A study by analytics firm Annalect showed that 49% of people look to influencers for advice on purchase decisions. Influencer marketing has clearly paid off as influencer-generated content reaps 11 times greater ROI than other digital media.
4. Engage Current Customers
A mistake many brands make is neglecting existing customers. Contrary to popular belief, existing customers bring in more revenue than new customers. In fact, customer acquisition can be up to ten times more expensive than customer retention.
Instead of jumping from one customer to the next, focus on building relationships with your existing customers. Use key relationships to your advantage and build a sense of community among your followers. The more people feel a part of your brand, the more loyal they become.