Four Proven Tips to Maximize Your Small Business’s Social Media Presence

These days, it's become imperative for businesses to actively engage with their audience. As a business owner, you're probably aware of how powerful social media is when it comes to getting your message out there and making those connections. You might even be on board with building your digital drumbeat. But if you don’t regularly publish content on social media, chances are you don’t know where to begin. You might even be too overwhelmed to get started.

If you’re struggling to find the time or inspiration to come up with captivating content for social platforms, you’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs face a common challenge in showcasing themselves and their businesses in meaningful, valuable ways. But with some time-tested tips and effective best practices you can break past your “blank screen syndrome” to help your business maximize its social media presence and engage your desired audience. 

We wanted to go deep on this critical issue, to dissect what it means to go all-in on your social media presence, and the potential of this powerful tool that can connect you with your customers and business partners. To kick things off, we'll explore four top-line insights and key tips from Jackie, CEO of Johnson House Creative, who covered many of these topics at a recent Chamber membership series luncheon.

Jackie Johnson Discusses Why Social Media is Critical for Small Businesses

At a recent luncheon for ​​Northfield Chamber of Commerce in Northfield, Minnesota, Jackie delivered a compelling training that emphasized the importance of consistency and relationship-building in social media. She highlighted that "everything is content" and shared various social media content idea prompts to help attendees get started. Jackie's engaging presentation turned the Chamber luncheon into a workshop, with participants partnering up and filling out worksheets that helped them define their content pillars and come up with post ideas.

Photo credit: Northfield News

In this article, we'll delve deeper into some of the social media tips that have proven to help small businesses in Northfield grow and expand their market share. Whether you're looking to improve your social media presence, build relationships with your audience, or drive more engagement, these insights will prove useful. So, without further delay, let's dive in!

1. Consistency is Key

Gone are the days when “location, location, location” was the leading factor determining a business's success. 

Today, small businesses are shifting their focus to a different kind of strategy: consistency. More specifically, consistency in their social media presence. 

With more and more customers turning to social media to discover and interact with businesses, it's essential to have a strong and consistent social media strategy in place. By prioritizing your social media presence, you can build a loyal following, attract new customers, and stay top of mind in today's competitive marketplace.

Social media is a consistent relationship. It requires a dedicated effort to engage with your audience regularly. You can't expect to gain a significant following or generate leads if you only post sporadically or when you have something to sell. Instead, you should aim to provide value to your audience consistently, whether it's educational content, behind-the-scenes stories, or user-generated content. 

By establishing a reliable posting schedule and engaging with your followers consistently, you'll build trust, brand recognition, and customer loyalty.

2. Use Multiple The Right Platforms

Another key factor in social media success is selecting the right platforms for your business. 

Pro tip: Don’t overthink it—just get started.

Many of our clients began by using Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn as a starting point. But the most effective producers monitored their user behavior and adapted their strategy based on their audience's preferences. The key is to focus your efforts on areas in which you have a strategic advantage, rather than spreading yourself too thin.

While Facebook and Instagram are among the most popular social media sites, they may not be the most effective for every business. Depending on your target audience, industry, and goals, you may want to consider other platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or TikTok. 

3. Plan Ahead with a Content Calendar

One of the most challenging aspects of social media management is coming up with fresh and engaging content on a regular basis. Many business owners know they need to post, but get stuck or distracted when they open up their phone or computer to post content.

That's why we always suggest businesses use a content calendar to plan their posts in advance. A content calendar is a tool that allows you to schedule your social media posts and organize them by theme, topic, or campaign. By planning ahead, you can more effectively stay consistent and ensure that your content is relevant, timely, and aligned with your overall marketing strategy. 

Additionally, a content calendar can help you stay focused, avoid last-minute stress, and provide a clear overview of your social media performance.

4. Measure Your Results and Adjust Your Strategy

Finally, to make the most of your social media efforts, you need to track and measure your results regularly. 

That means using analytics tools to monitor your engagement metrics, such as likes, comments, shares, and click-through rates. By analyzing your performance data, you can identify what works and what doesn't, and adjust your strategy accordingly. For example, if you notice that your posts get more engagement on certain days or times, you can optimize your schedule to reach more people. Similarly, if you find that your audience responds better to videos than images, you can adjust your content mix accordingly. 

Remember, social media is an iterative process, and you need to constantly experiment, learn, and refine your strategy.

How Small Businesses Can Optimize Their Social Media Strategy for Better Results

Social media can be a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes and industries, but it requires a deliberate and strategic approach.

By following the tips and best practices outlined in this blog post, you can improve your social media presence, build stronger relationships with your audience, and achieve your marketing goals. Whether you're a seasoned social media manager or just getting started, remember that consistency, platform selection, planning, and measurement are the keys to social media success.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the ever-changing landscape of social media, don't hesitate to reach out to Johnson House Creative.

Whether you're a small business owner just starting out or a seasoned marketer looking to take your social media strategy to the next level, we're here to help. We understand the unique challenges and barriers that businesses face when it comes to social media, and we're committed to helping you overcome them. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you revolutionize your social media presence and drive engagement with your target audience.