Social media has transformed the face of marketing forever. The once-coveted billboard spaces and commercial airtime are now considered extravagances that achieve little for certain industries. Why put it up in the air when you can have it in people’s hands? Social media is a much easier and affordable marketing outlet.
The problem with this, however, is that it’s not as easy as it looks. Yes, you can put up your products and services online for people to see, but do people really see them? Are they getting the kind of attention you want? If your views aren’t converting into sales, then something is obviously wrong. Here are the 4 top pitfalls that start-up companies are prone to committing.
What Algorithm?
Did you know that all your followers on Instagram don’t see every post you upload? Instagram changed its algorithm a while back to make interactions among its users more genuine. This means that if you don’t engage your followers by liking their photos, commenting, responding to comments, and answering your DMs, you’re unlikely to receive the visibility you need.
It’s basically the same principle for your Facebook page. The more likes, comments, and shares you get, the more people will see your post. This is because Facebook wants to put content on people’s newsfeed to compel them to use the app more. If your content is one of those, then it’ll definitely update your followers of all your activities.
No to Stock Photos
The downside to stock photos is that they’re obviously stock photos. The other downside is that if you’re getting them for free, other businesses and individuals are likely using them as well. The more people see them across different platforms, the less effective they become.
Invest in a good camera and plan photoshoots for your products and services. When none of you in the team are skilled photographers, you can rely on digital photo enhancement services to upgrade the quality of your output. Working with a company that can bring out the best in your photos will improve your marketing content and possibly give your following an immediate boost.
Yes to Streamlined Content
Planning is one of the keys to successful social media marketing. Posting just anything for the sake of posting is a disastrous approach. You have to streamline your content to make sure that they all adhere to your aesthetic of choice and that they’re being posted at the most opportune times. You should also decide what you should and should not post. Just because it’s business-related doesn’t mean it deserves a spot on your Instagram page.
The more streamlined your content, the easier it will be for your audience to digest it.
Stories Are Powerful
If you can’t post content every day, that’s okay. Instagram and Facebook stories can keep your business marketing afloat. You’ll notice that more people post on stories than they do on their actual accounts nowadays. Apart from the pretty and fun filters, stories are seconds-worth of easy visibility. This, for business, means a simpler way of getting your goods and services out there for more people to see.
Similar to your usual posts, follow an aesthetic for your stories. This will help your followers recognize your posts at once and develop a strong recall.
A Strategy for Everything
Even if you’re not a social media marketing specialist, you can learn how to efficiently market your start-up. Read the countless books available on the subject and watch webinars about the future of this particular field in marketing. Don’t be afraid to try new things and give your page a makeover. This may be the change your business needs to get the breakthrough it deserves.
