Managing Your Online Visibility with Care in Palm Desert, CA.
I help coaches and entrepreneurs grow their business online
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Elevate Your Engagement Strategy for Better Results
JANICE HURLBURT
Ever feel like you’ve veered off course and lost your way in the digital world? If so, read on to discover how to use your online marketing time wisely with one simple strategy.
Many business owners fail to allocate time to make social media work for their business. My clients ask me if social media is worth their time. My answer is always a resounding “Yes!”. By committing these principles into action steps, you will reignite your engagement and amplify your visibility with confidence.
Let’s dive into the simplest yet most powerful marketing method, which is not only super easy but also absolutely free: Social Media Engagement. Social media engagement is more than just being present; it’s about owning your space and leaving a lasting impression. Each click, comment, and share creates an impact that deeply connects with your audience, forging meaningful relationships and fostering trust.
But, keep in mind,
Every engagement carries weight in social media algorithms, but consistency is key. Make engaging with your audience a daily habit, even if it means starting with just one post a week and almost daily responses to comments.
Let’s be honest – once a week isn’t enough to truly make your mark. However, if you’re not showing up consistently now, starting with weekly engagement is a step in the right direction.
What’s Good Enough?
If your audience is small, let’s say around 100 followers, one to two comments is fine. Keep going and it will build.
Those with larger audiences will be happy if you get 2-3% responding. Your numbers don’t have to be huge. You do want them to continue to grow.
Here are more tips to consider. Evaluate what items you need to focus on trying to improve one each week.
Your audience wants authenticity on your channels; they want to see you behind your business persona. They can connect with you more deeply if you share your everyday experiences, date evenings, and vacation trips. By sharing these intimate tales, you’re humanizing your company and showcasing it as a brand.
NOTE: A client shared how Facebook groups do not work for her business.
I find this interesting. My personal posts in my group have less engagement if they are not about gardening. Members who are also Facebook friends will interact with my personal posts more. So I think this depends on your business and population.
Think about it like this: Being genuine helps build trust in business, just like in everyday life. When your audience feels a real connection with you, they are more likely to seek your expertise and assistance. Sharing personal stories alongside relevant business examples can help you establish your brand and make your services’ value more memorable.
Now, let’s dive into what consistent engagement truly entails with this week’s Top of Mind Checklist:
- Build relationships by responding to comments on your posts.
- Spread the joy by sending Happy Birthday messages to past, current, and potential clients.
- Respond promptly to private messages to keep conversations going.
- Share your thoughts, experiences, opinions, or stories with your audience.
- Showcase your helping nature and expertise by participating in discussions in relevant groups.
- Spread the love by interacting with other people’s posts.
- Thank those who share your content to show appreciation for their support.
Research and experience show that daily engagement, ideally 5-7 days a week, yields the best results. But if that seems overwhelming, start with what’s manageable and gradually increase your frequency. Treat engagement like a commitment – just as you would attend networking events, make time daily to connect with your audience.
Build your online circles beyond friends. Focus on nurturing relationships with potential clients. Set aside dedicated time daily to reach out to them and build genuine connections. As you consistently show up, you’ll notice a significant difference in your connections and, ultimately, your sales.
And speaking of success stories, let’s hear from one of my clients who’s experienced firsthand the power of engaging in social media groups:
“I find that when I participate in one or two groups almost daily, I attract more members to my Facebook group. And you become a top contributor in those groups which means your comments show up for more people.” – Marylee, ThePottedDesert.com
These words speak volumes about the transformative impact of strategic engagement. Are you ready to follow in her footsteps and unlock your full online potential? It’s time to get back on track and harness the power of social media engagement for your success.
In a nutshell, having a strong social media presence is essential for businesses of all sizes. It’s not just about promoting your products or services; it’s about building relationships and connecting with your audience on a deeper level. That’s where social media engagement comes into play.
One key aspect of social media engagement is listening to your audience. Pay attention to what they’re saying about your industry and join conversations relevant to your niche. By actively participating in discussions and addressing their concerns, you show your audience that you value their input and are committed to providing valuable content.
Additionally, don’t underestimate the power of visual content in driving engagement on social media. Eye-catching images and videos can capture your audience’s attention and encourage them to interact with your posts.
Here are some ideas of different types of visual content.
Which one appeals to you the most and that you feel most at ease doing to encourage participation?
- Infographics: Create visually appealing infographics that convey complex information in a simple and easy-to-understand format. Infographics are highly shareable and can help you showcase your expertise in your industry.
- Behind-the-Scenes Videos: With behind-the-scenes videos, you can take your audience behind the scenes of your business. Show how your products are made, introduce your team members, and give a sneak peek of upcoming projects. This type of content humanizes your brand and builds trust with your audience.
- User-Generated Content: Encourage your followers to share their own content related to your brand. They could show photos of using your products, testimonials, or reviews. Their posts and comments about you not only boost engagement but also serves as social proof of your brand’s credibility.
- Live Videos: Host live Q&A sessions, product demonstrations, or virtual events to engage with your audience in real-time. Live videos are a great way to foster a sense of community and authenticity, as they allow you to interact directly with your followers.
- Interactive Content: Create interactive content such as polls, quizzes, or contests to encourage engagement and participation from your audience. Interactive content not only drives engagement but also provides valuable insights into your audience’s preferences and interests.
- Animated GIFs: Incorporate animated GIFs into your social media posts to add movement and visual interest. GIFs are eye-catching and can help your content stand out in a crowded social media feed.
- Storytelling Graphics: Utilize eye-catching visuals to tell tales about your company, goods, or clients. Using storytelling graphics to highlight client success stories or highlight the advantages of your products is a great approach to emotionally engage your audience.
Example of a Storytelling Graphic using DALL.E AI Tool: “Ever feel like you’ve veered off course and lost your way in the digital world?”
Animated GIFs: Incorporate animated GIFs into your social media posts to add movement and visual interest. GIFs are eye-catching and can help your content stand out in a crowded social media feed.
By experimenting with these different types of visual content, you can find what resonates best with your audience and drives engagement on social media.
What if… You are doing all the above and not getting the engagement on social media.
Audience Targeting: You must know your perfect client and focus on that person. They won’t engage with you if the content is irrelevant to them.
Content Relevance: It’s possible that your content is not resonating with the target audience. Despite using visually appealing content and engaging formats, it may fail to generate engagement if the content does not address your target audience’s specific needs, interests, and pain points.
Consistency: Consistency is key on social media. Posting sporadically or inconsistently will lead to low engagement.
Engagement Strategy: While visual content is essential, engagement on social media goes beyond just posting images and videos. You need to focus on actively engaging with your audience by responding to comments, asking questions, and fostering conversations on their channel.
Value Proposition: It’s essential for you to clearly communicate the value of the service or product and how it meets the needs of your audience.
Platform Relevance: You need to be sure where your audience hangs out and what type of content they prefer. Different social media platforms have different dynamics. For example, platforms like Instagram may be more suitable for visual content, while LinkedIn is better suited for professional networking and thought.
Competition and Market Saturation: Depending on your niche and geographical location, the industry may have significant competition and market saturation.
Find ways to differentiate herself and your services to stand out from the crowd and attract engagement.
More on What Results are acceptable
Audience Size: If you have a relatively small following, receiving one or two comments or likes may be proportionally significant compared to a larger account with thousands of followers. In such cases, every interaction counts and indicates that the content is resonating with at least a portion of the audience.
Content Quality: If you’re consistently posting high-quality, valuable content that resonates with your audience, even a few comments or likes can be indicative of its impact.
Intent of the Post: Some posts may be designed to elicit specific types of engagement, such as encouraging comments or shares. In such cases, receiving one or two comments or likes is fine if the primary goal is achieved.
Monitoring your Growth: Monitoring trends and adjusting your strategy can help you continually improve your reach and impact.
Ultimately, focus on consistently creating valuable content, engaging with your audience, and striving for continuous improvement in your social media presence.
For more on this topic and other online marketing tips, sign up for my Simple Strategic Marketing Newsletter.
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ABOUT JANICE HURLBURT
I help coaches and entrepreneurs shine their expertise online, by making the process of building their online presence fun, simple, and ready-for-success.
My digital agency will take care of the technology for you, help you shine like a star and get your expertise and efforts noticed. When you make me your partner in online management, I become the navigator of your journey, helping you map your success, attract the right clients, grow online and make more money.
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