3 tips for creating a tight-knit community on social media. Given the likes of social media and other forms of online marketing, businesses are able to put a personal touch on their messaging and reach vast numbers of consumers. In fact, a study by Smart Insights is predicting significant increases in social media budgets across the board in upcoming years. Audiences (especially millennials) want authenticity in their dealings with brands. In fact, it might be one of the most difficult parts of your entire marketing mix. Don’t hide behind your brand Social media marketing is all about creating a humanized presence in which people can draw real-life connections to. Consider using tools and apps like Laleoo to help form deeper, personal connections with friends and followers. Using this app, you could easily share your favorite experiences to a designated group while the members can chime in with their own – creating one big, continuous “moment.” Interacting with the community on this level shows your brand is created for the people, by the people. Parting words Rome wasn’t built in a day. Even though it may not seem like it these days, social media was created to bring people together.
Today’s startups and SMBs have a distinct advantage over those of 20-30 years ago. Never before has there been such efficient ways to create unique communities of customers. Given the likes of social media and other forms of online marketing, businesses are able to put a personal touch on their messaging and reach vast numbers of consumers. In fact, a study by Smart Insights is predicting significant increases in social media budgets across the board in upcoming years.
That being said, the competition to stand out is stiffer than ever. By nature, social media is an arena meant for building online communities. Although there are no laws written in stone that guarantee success, there are several key concepts to help put your business on the right path to gaining a loyal following. Let’s discuss.
1. Focus on helping, not selling
In general, social media users don’t log on to their platform of choice in search of sales pitches. They go on to catch up on news, interact with friends, and see what’s going on with their favorite entities across the web. Audiences (especially millennials) want authenticity in their dealings with brands.
Therefore, the focus of your messaging should not be to throw coupons or shiny advertisements at your audience. Way back in 2007, the New York Times reported that the average American is exposed to around 5,000 ads every day. That would have significantly increased now. Contributing to that number is not going to do much for you in terms of creating a close community. Instead, your social content should be aimed at providing valuable insights and establishing yourself as a thought leader.
Whole Foods does a fantastic job of this. On their Facebook page, they’re known for providing innovative recipes and encouraging follower engagement. Here is one of their recent posts:
They don’t just sell healthy products; they sell ways in which people can better their lives. As most people know, Whole Foods boasts one of the most tight-knit, niche communities in the entire food industry.
A good philosophy to live by is you are not selling products or services; you’re…
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