So you’ve bitten the bullet and decided to join the social media band wagon and now you need to think about how to maintain it and how to build your followers.
Here are a few basic rules which will help you build the community that will spread the word for you.
Firstly, you need to post / tweet frequently, your social media must become a regular habit, whether you decide to post daily or 2 to 3 times per week. It is good to have spontaneity too, especially with twitter and a bit of humour here and there will go a long way. However there does need to be a continuity too and to make this happen you need to set aside regular time to write & schedule your posts, or this is something red desk can help you with if you don’t have the time. The more frequently you blog the more likely you are to grow your community faster.
This frequent posting needs to continue for the duration, you can’t stop and start. It may take 6 to 12 months to see results.
Another important part of your social media is to interact with other tweeters & bloggers in your field. Read other blogs and get a feel for what people are discussing and join in.
On Facebook you must make sure you create a ‘fan page’ for your business not a ‘personal profile’. People can ‘like’ your page without requesting permission unlike a personal profile. It’s also good to note that Facebook now has a dedicated page ‘Facebook for Business’ that can answer all your queries on how to use it to market your business.
Include good quality images on your on your facebook and blog and add a comment for each photograph, this allows Google to index all photographs and this could bring traffic your way.
Finally I will mention a couple of good practises for Twitter, firstly always add your location to your profile as this will bring local followers and secondly be polite, it’s good to thank people where appropriate. You should also advertise your friends and colleagues and try to give useful tips and advise.
The major point about all social media is not to use it for just plugging your services or goods but use it to create conversations & banter, to give useful information and in doing so create a vibrant forum where people will remember you.
If you need help with your social media email me at lindsay@reddesk.co.uk
Find me on Twitter @reddeskVA
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