Social media is constantly evolving, and the way business owners view social media is changing, too. Read more! Social media helps business owners stay on top of the latest trends, engage customers in conversation, and more importantly give you a window into what your audience wants. In order for customers and brands to find you, being unique and standing out online is more important than ever.

As a business owner, entrepreneur, or marketer, standing out is vital to driving revenue to your business. Using social media is a great and affordable way to build your brand online, drive traffic to your business, and connect with customers.

If you’re someone who struggles with social media – or you just feel overwhelmed by it all -you’re not alone.

Successful business owners understand the power of social media. When used effectively, social media can have a great impact on how you communicate with customers and build your brand. If you want to give yourself an edge, here are five ways you can set yourself apart.

This is the most important step you can take to set yourself apart in business today – and it’s not exclusive to social media.

Be helpful, be considerate and be the person who responds to comments or questions. If you have a Facebook business page, track how responsive you’re being.

Make it a priority to respond to comments and questions. In addition, this shows that you care about your audiences and want to strengthen the relationship.

We’ve all been there. We log onto Facebook (or Twitter) first thing in the morning, and before we know it, we’ve scrolled through 45 minutes worth of post/tweets without accomplishing anything productive.

You know the old saying “time is money”? Make sure the time you spend on social media is helping you achieve your overall business-related goal.

Social media is an easy outlet to express your personal views. But if you’re serious about using social media for business, I recommend you keep those views reserved for private conversations among friends.

When using social media for business, you’re not only representing yourself, you’re also representing the larger brand and influencing whatever potential customers may be lurking.

Recognize that the audience you’re trying to reach is likely more interested in developing a professional relationship with you.

Think about the content you’re creating. Is it targeted to reach the audience you’re hoping to reach? If someone is exploring your product offerings, will they learn something new each time they come back?

Interact with your audience to find out what’s important to them. Learn and adapt.

Proving value to your audiences and offering your expertise or service without expecting anything in return is Social Media for Business in a nutshell.

The importance of making connections and developing strong relationships can’t be overstated. It might sound counterintuitive for a business owner, but selling products on social media shouldn’t be your top priority. Sales, however, could be a pleasant result of developing a strong foundation.

LET’S RECAP:

• Have a plan, and provide great customer service.
• Always be professional, and make time to get to know your audience.
• Remember to ask yourself the question: How Can I Help? Be an expert in your field.

Like what you’ve been reading? Are you thinking about developing a stronger marketing plan for your business? We can help. Sign up for a no-obligation marketing assessment today to get started.