If you are wondering why you’re not getting people to follow you on social media platforms and yet, you are regularly posting content, then please read this post. Go over all your content and see how much of it is selling your stuff, your services, your wares, etc. If 80% of your posts are selling something from your business, then you, my friend, don’t understand social media. Think about it: it’s “social media,” NOT “solicitation media!” People get turned off by 3 major topics on social media: politics, religion and solicitation of your products or services. That does not mean that you can’t sell others’ products or services and promote their business (more on this later).
Just think of social media is one big party or get together, where some people are meeting for the first time and others have previously met. In that setting, the person who provides the most value and information gets the biggest crowd around him or her. Moreover, the person who is jovial and fun to hang out with also gets a crowd encircling him or her at this gathering. This fact is true at business events, casual functions or formal dining extravaganzas. Those that give value receive attention and word of mouth. Same concept holds true with social media. Give value to others, online in terms of information, news links, funny anecdotes, heartwarming stories, and the like. Share others’ links on your social media platforms and give them credit. In other words, be generous with your sharing and you will obtain attention and crowds. When you do, they will give you the business because of your reputation. Your profiles, on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, etc., need to be up to date and current, so that people know what you do and where to find you. That’s all the solicitation you need. Be so awesome at sharing value, that others now start talking about you and through that online word of mouth, your business will grow.
As far as promoting others’ businesses, do so generously and without any compensation Become the hub of information online and offline. For example, in my store, people come to ask me where to find a good electrician, landscape person, snow plow guy, plumber, photographer, limousine company, etc. The list goes on and on. My staff and I have become the central hub of our town because we always like to share value and information about other reputable businesses online. As a result, many other businesses now recommend our business to their clients (without ever being requested from us to do so). It’s all about gaining trust and attention online and not abusing either one. These commodities are the currencies of the 21st Century, according to Seth Godin, one of the most innovative thinkers and marketers of our generation.
So, share value, positive vibes, good information and others’ products or services; do it consistently and see how your social media influence grows.
Here’s to your growth on social media,
Fahim Mojawalla, AMBC Director of Social Media
#FahimFix #ExudeExcellence #SpaOfShipping
Source: AMBC Blog