5 Social media hacks for small businesses

5 Social media hacks for small businesses

During these times of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, the use of social media has never been more important for businesses when connecting with customers. But with endless platforms available online, managing your company’s social media accounts can be overwhelming.

The good news is that you don’t have to be a popular household name to build a great following, get more attention, and increase your engagement on social media. Doing the following can improve your social media presence:

1. Use social media management tools

Content is key to reaching your audience on social media, but you don't have to be glued to your computer all day posting content manually, as this prevents you from doing more important tasks.

Social media management tools such as HubSpot or Hootsuite can help you plan and schedule content on various social media platforms. These apps can also help you assign tasks to your social media team and help you monitor the level of engagement on your posts.

2. Experiment with posting times

It’s also important to know when to post on social media. While many social media platforms have a general suggested posting time, these can be very broad and unsuitable to all types of businesses.

To determine the best posting times, make informed guesses regarding time slots that could garner high traffic, such as early morning, at lunch, or late evening based on your target audience’s use of social media. See which times earn the most traffic and tailor your post schedules accordingly. Consider holidays and other major events as well, as these can change your audience’s social media habits.

3. Use hashtags

Hashtags are words or phrases preceded by the hash (#) sign like #WorldCup and #ThrowbackThursday. These are used on social media websites like Twitter and Instagram to identify digital content on a specific topic. For example, a hashtag like #SEO on a post denotes that the content is related to search engine optimization.

When used correctly, hashtags can be an effective way to increase your reach, encourage engagement, and get discovered on social media. Here are some tips on how to use them properly:

  • On Twitter:
    • Make hashtags easy to spell and remember, as typographical errors can make your post undiscoverable to others.
    • Use tools like RiteTag and Hashtagify to check and capitalize on the hashtags people use when talking about your business or the industry you're in.
    • Give people a reason to use your hashtags. Whether it’s for a prize or an online acknowledgement, your audience will respond better if they have an incentive to include your hashtag in their posts.
    • Partner with influencers who can help your hashtag gain more visibility and engagement.
  • On Instagram:
    • Count your hashtags. A recent study by Socialinsider found that posts with seven to 30 relevant hashtags got the most engagement.
    • Include popular hashtags that are related to your business and industry, as this makes it more likely for people to see your content. Instagram can automatically tell you the number of posts under a certain hashtag, or you can use tools like RiteTag and Hashtagify to help you discover relevant hashtags.
    • Try varying your hashtags from time to time to reach a wider and more diverse audience. This also helps you see which ones get you the most engagement.

4. Promote your blogs on social media

Your blogs are a great way to build your business’s online presence. But if you’re having difficulty driving traffic to those blogs, try promoting them on social media. Not only does this help you keep a good social media presence, but it also increases your website traffic.

Related article: Avoid these five social media blunders to improve your cybersecurity

5. Focus on engagement instead of vanity metrics

Vanity metrics include the number of likes and followers you have on your social media accounts. While having plenty of these is good for your business, they only tell one part of your social media efforts. Instead, focus on engagement: comments and conversations on your posts show that your audience is truly interested in your business’s services or goods and the information you share.

Many social media platforms offer free analytics tools that can help you determine your most engaging posts. Experiment on content types and adjust your strategy based on this data.

6. Take advantage of Stories and Fleets

Features like Stories (Instagram, Facebook) and Fleets (Twitter) allow your business to post photos, videos, or status updates that will only be visible for 24 hours. These are pinned on top of your social media feed, and can help you interact better with your audience, gather feedback, and promote your business in a fun way.

Post to your Facebook and Instagram Story a couple of times a week and add interactive elements such as polls, quizzes, and countdowns. Remember not to post too many Stories, as this can turn off your audience and make them engage less with your business.

When it comes to business success, choosing the right partner is critical. Not only can Fidelis protect your Seattle, Tacoma, or Portland organization from cyberattacks, but we can also help you leverage social media to achieve your goals. To learn more about what we offer, talk to us today.


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