Are you struggling to make an impact on social media? Do you feel like you’re constantly getting lost in a sea of marketing messages? Well, I’ve got some good news for you. You don’t need a huge budget or a fancy marketing team to succeed on social media.
All you need is the right tactics.
I’m going to share with you seven of the most effective social media marketing tactics that every small business owner should know. These tactics have been tried and tested, and they’re guaranteed to help you reach more customers, build brand awareness, and drive more sales.
1. Creating a Sense of Urgency
“If you can create a stronger sense of urgency on your landing page or websites, then you can successfully spur people to do what you want them to do on your page (i.e., convert).”
– Neil Patel
Have you ever been on a website and seen a countdown clock ticking away, telling you that there are only a few minutes left to buy a product?
Or have you received an email with a subject line that says “Last Chance!” or “Limited Time Offer”?
These are all examples of creating a sense of urgency, and it’s a powerful tactic for driving sales.
When you create a sense of urgency, you’re tapping into the fear of missing out (FOMO) that we all have. Nobody wants to miss out on a good deal, so when we see that there’s a limited time to act, we’re more likely to take action. (don’t act like you’ve not done it yourself 🙂 )
There are a few ways you can create a sense of urgency on social media. For example, you can use phrases like “Act now!” or “Limited time offer!” in your posts.
You can also use countdown timers or limited stock alerts to let customers know that they need to act fast.
Tools to use: You can use tools like Deadline Funnel or Thrive Ultimatum to create countdown timers on your website. These tools can help you create a sense of urgency and drive more sales.
2. Leveraging Emotional Appeal
People buy products for emotional reasons. They want to feel good, they want to solve a problem, or they want to be part of a community. As a small business owner, it’s your job to tap into those emotions and create a connection with your customers.
One way to do this is by using emotional appeal in your marketing. You can use images or videos that evoke strong emotions, such as happiness, nostalgia, or fear.
For example, if you sell eco-friendly products, you can use images of happy families spending time in nature or animals in their natural habitats. This can create a sense of connection with your brand and make customers more likely to buy from you.
Tools to use: Canva and Adobe Express are great tools for creating eye-catching images and videos that evoke emotions.
3. Using Social Proof
Social proof is the idea that people are more likely to do something if they see others doing it. As a small business owner, you can use social proof to your advantage by showing your customers that other people are using and enjoying your products.
There are a few ways you can use social proof on social media. For example, you can share customer reviews or testimonials on your social media channels. You can also share user-generated content (UGC) that shows customers using your products in real life. This can help build trust with your audience and make them more likely to buy from you.
Tools to use: You can use a tool like Yotpo to collect and showcase customer reviews on your website and social media channels.
4. Leveraging Influencers
Influencer marketing is a tactic where businesses partner with influencers (people with large social media followings) to promote their products. This can be a powerful way to reach new customers and build brand awareness.
When you work with an influencer, you’re tapping into their audience and leveraging their influence to promote your products. This can be especially effective if the influencer has a strong connection with your target audience.
To find the right influencer for your brand, you’ll need to do some research. Look for influencers who have a large following and whose audience aligns with your target audience. You can also look for influencers who are already using your products and reach out to them for a partnership.
Tools to use: There are several tools you can use to find influencers, such as Upfluence, BuzzSumo, and HypeAuditor.
5. Providing Value
One of the most important things you can do on social media is to provide value to your audience. This means sharing content that is interesting, informative, or entertaining. When you provide value, you’re building a relationship with your audience and establishing yourself as an authority in your niche.
There are many ways you can provide value on social media. For example, you can share how-to guides, industry news, or behind-the-scenes looks at your business. You can also share user-generated content or run contests and giveaways. The key is to create content that your audience will find valuable and engaging.
Tools to use: Tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, and CoSchedule can help you schedule your social media posts and stay consistent with your content.
6. Engaging with Your Audience
Social media is a two-way conversation. Period.
If you want to succeed on social media, you need to engage with your audience. This means responding to comments and messages, asking for feedback, and starting conversations.
When you engage with your audience, you’re building a relationship with them and showing them that you care about their opinions. This can help build trust and loyalty, and make customers more likely to buy from you.
Tools to use: Social media management tools like Agorapulse and Sprout Social can help you manage your social media accounts and respond to comments and messages.
7. Consistency
Finally, one of the most important things you can do on social media is to be consistent. This means posting regularly, using consistent branding, and staying true to your messaging.
Consistency is important because it helps build brand recognition and trust. When customers see that you’re consistent with your messaging and branding, they’re more likely to remember your brand and recognize it in the future.
Tools to use: Social media scheduling tools like SocialBee and Hootsuite can help you stay consistent with your social media posts.
So there you have it, seven social media marketing tactics that every small business owner should know. By using these tactics effectively, you can reach more customers, build brand awareness, and drive more sales.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. Social media is constantly evolving, and the key to success is staying adaptable and open to change.
Now, it’s your turn. Which of these tactics are you going to try first? Let me know in the comments below!
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that I may earn a small commission from, at no additional cost to you.