Are you leveraging social media the right way? Or are you caught in the Influencer vortex?

Are you caught in an influencer vortex, or are you leveraging social media to help your business become more credible and visible?

Hey there, savvy business owner! You’ve done the work to build your brand board; your website is in tip-top shape; you have a solid list of retainer clients supporting the growth of your business; you feel your reach – and your revenue – growing as you grow as a leader.

So why in the world would you throw all of your energy into a social media campaign that feels more like throwing spaghetti at a wall than building your brand and your business?

We’re here to spill some tea. Keep it simple. Keep it savvy. Keep it strategic. And keep it YOU.

The more YOU that’s infused into your social media presence, the better results you’ll get.

Here are a few tips for making that happen.

1. Ensure that socials are a piece of your monthly messaging and content puzzle.

Don’t underestimate the power of well-optimized blog posts, press releases, guest blog spots, long-form video content, articles, and white papers to build your brand’s visibility. Chances are, with the right media contacts and the right platform, these long-form pieces may have better traction than even the best viral TikTok video.?

And if your brand is positioned in tech, healthcare, finance, or even executive coaching, media and PR professionals will look at your social media reach, but an interview with WSJ or an article published in the New York Times will go further than you might think in reaching your true target audience.

2. Find your people.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Your audience isn’t everywhere, and it isn’t everyone. Trust the experts to advise you on 1) who your target demographic is, 2) who your audience is within that demographic, and 3) which social media platforms best serve that demographic.

3. Embrace your Weird.

Once you do determine the platforms for which you’ll be focusing your time and energy to create images, captions, and visuals, get ready to get weird. Social media thrives on authenticity, so let your personality shine through. Use playful, conversational language that reflects your brand’s unique vibe.

4. Engage, engage, engage.?

Far too often, we see service professionals with the best intentions posting on their chosen platform and then, weeks later, being shocked by the low numbers of followers they’ve gained.

Do you know what we find? Folks who post content…and disappear.?

It’s absolutely non-negotiable to engage with your audience by responding to their comments, asking solid questions in your calls to action, and initiating conversations. Treat social media like a friendly living room chat with your followers, and watch your credibility soar as you begin to build genuine connections across the internet.

5. Tell captivating stories.

Gone are the days when you could share what you had for lunch and see 1,000,000 likes (although, if that’s your niche, you still have a chance). Human beings love stories. Share compelling anecdotes and experiences related to your life and your business. Whether it’s a funny behind-the-scenes moment or a heartwarming customer success story, bring it to life with vivid language and humor. Why? Stories create an emotional connection and help people remember your brand.

6. Don’t underestimate visuals.

You could hop on Canva and plug your content into a ready-made design. Or…you could trust a designer and a communications firm to do that for you on a much more impactful scale.

Making your social media feed a feast for the eyes from video to still helps you communicate your brand’s message in a whole new way. Inject humor, clever captions, or unexpected twists into your visuals; the more appealing your content, the more visibility you stand to gain.

7. Stay on top of trends.*

*We’re putting a disclaimer here. There is, quite simply, not enough time in the day for high-impact professionals to spend their time scrolling through the latest platform to capture trending audio, memes, or topics.

So who does? A social media strategist. If you’re considering outsourcing your social media efforts, a strategist can help you determine what’s working and what’s not working in the social media world.?

Sure, if you catch wind of a viral trend, go ahead and incorporate it! If you hear a catchy tune in the grocery store and smile at the cashier who says, “That song is from TikTok!” Nothing’s holding you back from creating your own video with your own take!?

8. Stop. Collaborate. And Listen.

Ehm. Collaborating with a team of like-minded people, including other businesses, influencers, or even your own customers, you can halve the work of social media and double the impact. Because you’re sharing audiences, ideas, and posts, you’re adding a level of reliability and social proof.?

9. Be helpful and share value.

Don’t give away the farm, but lead people on a tour through the fields, take them on a hayride, settle them in front of a milking cow, and hand them a basket to go apple picking. Catch our drift?

If your social media account and messaging efforts are 100% self-promotion and 0% value, you might gain a handful of loyal followers, but you’re missing out on relationships and connections that can amplify your impact.

Provide valuable tips, tricks, and insights related to your industry as you share useful resources, answer questions, and offer practical advice. Plus, by positioning yourself as the person people think of to solve a certain problem, you earn the trust and credibility of your audience. And they’re far more likely to visit your farm year after year.

Remember: Social media is all about building relationships and creating a community around your brand, but it’s only one piece of a comprehensive messaging puzzle.

At The Whitter Group, we leverage social media strategy to support other content and messaging efforts. Our clients see the greatest levels of engagement – and success – when their message is dialed in, and they’re open to communicating that message through multiple outlets.?

Ultimately, the game is all about finding the audience that best resonates with your content and your business. So let loose, have fun, and stay true to your experiences and your brand’s voice and values.

Happy posting!