We all appreciate the human side of social media. Raise your hand if you totally ignore or reject obvious sales posts on Facebook?
*hand raised*
Remember, social media is meant to be social. People click into Facebook or head over to Twitter to interact with their friends and learn about interesting news. They don’t log in to be inundated with sales pitches.
So, then, why is social media so popular with business?
Because people buy from people, especially people they know and trust. Social media allows us to form connections, build relationships, and take a peek at what a company is really about without having to make an appointment with the front reception. As consumers, we want to rally with the brands we buy from. We want to feel as though we’re a part of their world. We want to be proud of our purchasing decisions and eager to share them with the world. As businesses, we can be the name people want to share by forming connections and building loyal communities.
How can you, as a business, become the brand your audience wants to follow and eventually buy from? By sharing you! Here are five great tips to show the human side of your business on social media:
- Share what you really think (to a point) – Opinion rocks on social media. People are drawn to what others think and feel about certain topics. Your business, no matter how big or small, has a belief system. Keep it on the lighter side (politics and religion are always off the table, in my opinion) but don’t be afraid to share why you don’t agree that the dress is blue and black (it’s white and gold) or that content isn’t king (it totally is) as per Derek Halpern.
- Share other updates besides business – Like the posts I mentioned above. People don’t always want to click on your social profile and see business, business, business. Share other things that you know your niche will appreciate. Like that viral cat video for a Monday morning smile, or a link to your dream vacation getaway on a snowy day.
- Share personal photos and videos – Snap a photo of your slippers perched up on the coffee table, wine glass in hand, after a long hard week. Or a video of what your office looks like first thing in the morning. People gravitate to things that are relatable to them, remember that.
- Share a personal story – Whether it’s how your business began or something interesting that happened to you over the weekend, share stories about who you are. Companies can do this too by having employees take turns sharing themselves. Learning about what we have in common with people are the seeds that grow trust and loyalty.
- Engage, engage, engage – I can’t stress this one enough. When people like, comment, or retweet your posts, be sure to acknowledge it with a comment back! It’s important that our audiences feel heard and that what they’re saying is respected. This goes for positive and negative comments. If you’re hit with a negative comment, respond to it in a professional way and offer to take it offline. Not saying anything will only make you look uninterested (even if that’s far from the case).
When it comes to social media, showing the human side of your business will only strengthen connections and loyalty. Share the personality behind your social media handle and you’ll soon develop a community that will want to buy from you.
~Caroline~
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