Boost Your Brand's Social Impact: Growth Tactics for Solo Entrepreneurs
Not all businesses need a social media presence. Shocking, I know, but true. If your audience hangs out in the digital sphere, then get your brand live and ready to engage online. Think of social media like school – you’ve got to show up consistently. Fall off the radar, and people might start questioning your commitment to your brand. Always appear present and accounted for! Here are a few tips that will boost your social media game.
1. Crafting a Killer Strategy
Don't wing your social media presence (please!). Strategy is everything. A solid plan is the foundation of success and without it, your efforts will lead to frustrating results. Your social media strategy should have a clear goal on what you want to achieve. Do you want to make income while you sleep? Do you want to grow your followers? Do you want people to show up to your event? Are you looking for podcasts to collaborate with? It’s best to choose one overarching goal because choosing to many means your strategy is going to be weighed down with too many deliverables that will be difficult to achieve. Once you have a clear idea on what you want to achieve on social media, plan, plan, plan. This means thinking ahead about the time you will need to invest on social media. For example, if you know that you’re busy working with clients for the majority of your day, committing to posting once a day is asking for failure. Limit your time according to your availability, then stick with a consistent schedule.
2. Choosing the Right Platforms
You don’t have to be on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X or whatever else is new. Each social media platform caters to a very different age group. But don’t stretch yourself too thin trying to conquer them all. Pick one or two where your audience loves to hang out, and pour your heart and soul into them. If your crowd is on LinkedIn looking for thought leaders, don’t waste your time choreographing TikTok dances unless you're in it for the laughs. Also, if it doesn’t feel right for you or your brand, ditch it. You’ll get more frustrated trying than enjoying the process.
3. Content That Captivates
Content, content, content really is King. Whether you decide to write your content yourself, work with an expert copywriter, or completely delegate the task out to an AI, at least get it done. But there are a few things you need to think about before you start to create any content for your brand. When are you posting? What's the vibe? Do you prefer short text or writing something detailed? Whatever platform or length you decide, be sure to inject your personality and let your brand’s heart beat through every piece of content you share. And don’t forget to engage with people who read and comment on your content - it’s where the magic of connection happens (also known as the sole purpose why you are creating content to begin with!
4. Show Up and Stand Out
Speaking of showing up, go on and be the face of your brand. Let people see the person behind those awesome products or services. It’s like having a cup of coffee with your customers – except you might be doing it from the comfort of your home office. Your followers want to hear from you, the expert entrepreneur they’ve chosen to follow, so step into that spotlight.
5. Authenticity Over Everything
Now l to tackle one of my pet peeves – using generic, royalty-free images. Come on, let’s be original! Take your own photos or grab a brand photographer to capture the essence of your biz. And if you have to use a stock image, try to keep to a consistent style that matches your brand colors and vibes. For example, if you chose to have very bright colors in your branding but then decided to go for a black and white photo, it’s not a good match. However, having your own unique photos makes your content harder to imitate and, ultimately, unforgettable.
6. Measuring Success With Data
Lastly, let’s talk numbers – not the most glamorous part, but crucial. Keep an eye on data to see the effectiveness of your efforts but remember, quality over quantity every time. Engage with your followers personally, identify bots and boot them out, and track the growth and health of your online community.
Strategic presence, engaging content, personal connection, and authentic branding will set your social media on fire. Stick with these fundamentals, and your brand will not just participate but shine in the social media circus! Good luck - you’ve got this!
