How to Build Social Media Following

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already well aware of the power of social media. In today’s connected world, social media can be a powerful tool to reach new customers, connect with existing ones and build your brand.

Gone are the days when small businesses could get by without any social media presence. Nowadays, customers expect brands to be visible and engaged on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

As Bill Gates said, if your business is not on the internet, then your business will be out of business.

But it can be tough to know the right way to build your social media following if you’re just starting. Don’t fret; we’re here to help!

This complete guide will show you how to grow your social media following and transform your business in the process. Let’s jump in!

And when your done check out our other YouTube guides:

• How to Become a Social Media Influencer?
• How to Make Money on Social Media
• How to Get Your First 5000 YouTube Subscribers

Why Build Your Social Media Following?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to build your social media following, let’s first talk about why it’s so important.

Having a large social media following can benefit your business in several ways:

Helps you reach more people 

The most obvious reason people build social media following is that it allows them to reach more people.

With over 4.26 billion active social media users worldwide, there’s a vast audience waiting to be tapped into. 

And with the right strategy, you can easily reach them. Businesses with a strong social media following often see a significant increase in website traffic, leads, and customers. In a nutshell, social media can help you grow your business and reach your goals. 

Makes you more credible

Credibility lies at the backbone of every successful business. Customers who see you have a large and engaged social media following are more likely to trust and do business with you.

Think about it this way: if you’re looking for a new pair of jeans and you see that one store has thousands of followers on Instagram while the other has only 500, which store are you more likely to buy from?

The answer is obvious. A large social media presence makes you seem more credible, trustworthy, and like a company worth doing business with.

Helps you connect with customers and build relationships

In today’s competitive landscape, customer service and strong customer relationships are more important than ever.

And social media provides the perfect platform to connect with your customers, build relationships, and create advocates for your business.

Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are great for customer service, while platforms like Facebook allow you to build deeper relationships with your customers.

Allows you to stay on top of your mind

The average person is bombarded with over 8000 marketing messages every day. So it’s no wonder most people tune out most marketing messages and only pay attention to the relevant ones.

This is where social media comes in.

By staying active on social media and sharing valuable content, you can stay top-of-mind with your audience and ensure that they think of you first when they’re ready to buy.

Helps you create valuable content

Another famous Bill Gates quote goes this way: Content is king.

And he’s right. To succeed on social media, you must create and share high-quality content that your audience will find valuable.

Creating high-quality, valuable content is essential to any good marketing strategy. And social media provides the perfect platform to share your content and reach a larger audience.

Gives you insights into your customers

Finally, social media also provides valuable insights into your customers.

You can use social media platforms to track potential customers, see what interests them, and better understand their wants and needs.

This information is invaluable when creating marketing campaigns that resonate with your audience and convert them into customers.

How to Select The Right Social Media Platform for Your Needs

We can chat all day about the benefits and how to build social media following. However, you need to be on the right platform to see real results.

The platform you choose will depend on many factors, including your business goals, your target audience, and the type of content you want to share. Let’s look at these factors in detail:

Consider your business goals

Your products, service, target market, and brand identity will dictate which platform is best for you.

Let’s say you’re a fashion retailer targeting millennial women. In this case, Instagram would be a good choice because it’s visual and appeals to millennials.

On the other hand, if you’re a B2B company selling software products, LinkedIn would be a better platform because it’s more business-focused.

Target audience

Where does your target audience hang out online? If they’re mostly on Facebook, then that’s where you need to be. If they’re on Snapchat or another platform, you need to be there as well.

Type of content

What type of content are you going to share? If it’s mostly visual, Instagram and Pinterest are good choices. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are better options if it’s mostly written.

Understand each platform and its features

Once you’ve selected the right platform for your business, it’s time to get to know it better.

Each platform has its features, so you need to understand how to use them to your advantage.

For example, LinkedIn offers groups and publishing features that can help you reach a larger audience, while Instagram has stories and live-streaming features that allow you to connect with your audience in a more personal way.

Proven Ways to Build a Solid Social Media Following

Now that you know the benefits of social media and how to select the right platform for your needs, let’s look at ways to build a strong social media following:

Analyzing Your Competitors

Having a formidable social media presence calls for a lot of hard work. However, it also calls for working smart. A good way to go about this is by analyzing your competitors.

Find out which social media platforms they use and how often they post. Look at the type of content they’re sharing and the tone they’re using. Also, you’d want to note any promotions or campaigns they’re running.

By taking the time to analyze your competitors, you’ll better understand what it takes to be successful on social media, and you’ll be able to develop a more effective social media strategy for your business.

Utilizing Hashtags

We cannot overemphasize the importance of using hashtags. They are a great way to reach a larger audience and get your content seen by people interested in what you have to say.

When using hashtags, make sure to use relevant and popular ones. Also, don’t use too many hashtags, as this can be spammy. A good rule of thumb is to use a maximum of three hashtags per post. Remember, you use a branded hashtag as well to promote your business.

Again, Content Is King

Your content will set you apart from the competition and attract people to your page. Your followers want to see interesting, informative, and engaging content.

To make sure your content is up to par, consider hiring a professional copywriter or content creator. This is someone who understands the ins and outs of creating great content and can help you take your social media presence to the next level. Consider hiring a professional photographer or videographer if your content involves photos and videos.

Keep in mind that your content doesn’t always have to be original. You can also share content from other sources you think your followers will find interesting. Just make sure to give credit where it’s due.

Engaging With Your Audience

It’s one thing to post great content. Engaging with your audience is what’s going to help you build a strong social media following.

When people leave comments or questions on your social media posts, make sure to respond on time. If you can, start a conversation and get to know the people interested in your business.

You can also engage with your audience by joining relevant groups or participating in discussions. This is a great way to get exposure to your business and attract new followers.

Running Promotions and Giveaways

People love free stuff! Running promotions and giveaways are a great way to attract new followers and give something back to your existing ones.

When running a promotion or giveaway, make sure to promote it across all of your social platforms and include clear instructions on how to enter. It’s also a good idea to partner with another business to help you reach a larger audience.

Consistency is Key

Building a strong social media following takes time, effort, and consistency. To see results, you must post regularly and engage with your audience regularly.

Of course, we understand that running a business can be time-consuming. This is why hiring someone to help you with your social media efforts might be a good idea. This way, you can focus on running your business while someone else takes care of your social media accounts.

Focus on Delivering Value to Your Followers

It’s not rocket science – people will only follow you if they see value in your offering. Therefore, it’s important to focus on delivering value to your followers.

This can be in the form of informative blog posts, helpful tips, and advice, or even just sharing interesting content from other sources. Whatever you do, make sure it’s something that your followers will find useful.

Collaborate With Influencers

Many successful businesses today have collaborated with social media influencers. This is because they understand the power of influencer marketing.

By working with influencers who have already established themselves online, you can tap into their audience and expand your reach. 

Additionally, influencers can help to promote your content and give it more exposure. When done correctly, collaborations with influencers can be a highly effective way to boost your social media presence. So if you’re looking to take your social media game to the next level, reaching out to influencers can be the game changer.

Paid Promotions

Here is the thing – organic reach is great, but it’s not always enough. To ensure that as many people see your content as possible, you must invest in paid promotions.

Paid social media ads are a great way to get your content in front of more people. If you do this right, ad campaigns can be extremely effective in helping you build a strong social media following.

Of course, paid promotions are not free. But if you’re serious about taking your social media presence to the next level, they are definitely worth considering.

Steps to Identify Your Audience

Identifying your audience is an important first step in using social media effectively. Without understanding who you are trying to reach, it will be difficult to create content that resonates. There are a few key steps you can take to identify your audience on social media: 

• Take a look at your existing customer base. Who are they? What do they like and dislike? This information can be helpful in understanding who you should be targeting on social media. 

• Use social media listening tools to track mentions of your brand and product. This will give you an idea of who is already talking about you and what they are saying. 

• Use demographic information from social media platforms to get a better understanding of the people who are following you. Facebook, for example, allows you to check out the age, gender, and location of your fans. 

• Conduct surveys and polls to directly ask your fans what they want to see from you on social media. This can be a great way to get feedback and ensure that you create content that resonates with your target audience. 

By taking these steps, you can better understand your target audience on social media and start creating content that is more likely to resonate with them.

Conclusion

We hope this article has given you some insights into how to build social media following. Remember, growing a successful social media presence takes time and effort. But if you focus on the tips presented in this article, you can start to see real results and put your business on the path to social media success. Thanks for reading!