Traditional channels for advertising such as print and radio are falling out of fashion. Now, it’s more likely that you’ll find success advertising your brand for free on social media sites such as Instagram and TikTok. Entrepreneur Jon Torres has some tips on how to leverage social media to maximize your brand’s potential, which he has learned from his personal experience.
Have a social media strategy
In the past, most people just used to post whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted on social media. However, if you’re trying to grow your brand, you’ll need to develop a strategy that draws people to you. “Making a social media calendar can really help, as posts will then be ready to share each day,” says Torres. “You can also measure your stats and figure out what type of posts actually work, since it’s easy to keep track of what you post every day.”
Know who you’re trying to reach
Most people are on social media, but keep in mind that you’re not trying to reach everyone. Instead, you’re looking mostly for your target customer. “If you haven’t figured this out while you were building your company, consider it right away,” says Torres. “Find your people online and figure out what they like and don’t like, which sites they use when they’re online. That’s how you find new fans.”
Develop a persona
You need a voice for your social media posts. Decide whether you want to be fun and exciting, or professional and subdued. This will largely depend on who you’re trying to reach and what platform you’re using.
Create a community
If possible, create a space where your fans and customers can talk to each other. This won’t work for every business, but it’s great for a podcast or writer. “You’ll have a place where you can always share your new works, and your fans will advertise for you without you lifting a finger,” Torres says.
Focus on quality, not quantity
You don’t need to post 10 times a day or more to get your message across. It might actually hurt your brand! “Once or twice a day is perfect,” says Torres. “That way you’re still visible, but you’re not taking over anyone’s feed.”
Using social media has a learning curve. However, once you’ve broken into it, you’ll see a lot of impact on your bottom line, as proved by Jon Torres.