To make social media an efficient lead generation machine, you need to generate a following. There are dozens of websites and applications that allow businesses to buy their first few thousand followers, but in truth, the key to social media success is earning a legitimate following.
Let’s be honest. Purchased followers serve no other purpose other than to artificially inflate your follower count. But keep in mind that a large following bears no meaning if there’s no interaction. Followers you earn are people who will make an actual effort to hit the like button, subscribe, share your content, and maybe even do business with you in the future.
To help you get started, here are a few helpful tips for expanding your social media reach.
Promote Your Social Media Presence Everywhere
Unfortunately, it’s not enough to produce quality content and hope for people to stumble upon it on the Internet. With millions of other social media users and competitors, you need to be proactive. One of the best ways to drive traffic to your page is to use other social media platforms to promote your content. Twitter is ideal for catchy phrases and links, whereas Google+ promotion can help your site show up in personalized search results.
Learn the Art of Advertising
Advertising is vital to all industries. Paid search, social media advertising, and display advertising are all excellent ways to attract visitors, build brands, and generate leads. Alter your paid strategies to suit your goals. Do you want more traffic, or are you looking to increase conversions, too? Even Facebook offers advertising services to help users expand their reach. Each paid channel has its pros and cons, so think carefully about your objectives before you reach for your credit card.
#UseHashtags
Using hashtags is just a way to categorize your posts. Hashtags ensure that your content is part of a narrowed conversation, making them easier to find on social media platforms. Of course, there’s way much more to it than that, or else hashtags wouldn’t have been the most popular trending topic in 2010. Using hashtags allow you to lay your tweets, Facebook posts, and Instagram photos in front of social media users who are interested in them. This tactic often leads to an increase in followers. The more targeted and precise your hashtag use becomes, the more followers you’re likely to accumulate.
Write Captivating Headlines or Post Click-Worthy Thumbnails
We don’t encourage using clickbait because even if it works, the effects are short-term and may prompt your audience to question your integrity. Nonetheless, you still need to captivate and reach audiences. Without a compelling headline or thumbnail, even the most comprehensive and creative social media post will go unnoticed. Attempt to conceptualize different varieties of headlines and click-worthy content without deceiving your audience, and always think carefully before hitting “publish.”
Link Internally
Your internal linking structure can affect the strength of your social media profile. When creating and publishing content, be open to opportunities for internal links. This tactic not only helps with search engine optimization, but it also results in a much better and more useful experience for your audience.
Prioritize Email Marketing
A lot of businesses focus so much on content marketing that they often neglect the importance of more traditional methods. Never underestimate the power of email marketing. Even moderately successful email blasts can result in a significant increase in traffic. A friendly newsletter can boost your social media traffic, but even so, don’t make a habit out of bombarding people with relentless emails. Also, never overlook the power of word-of-mouth marketing, especially from those who are already fans of your content.
Make Yourself Heard on Social Media Pages Other than Yours
If you frequent websites or social media pages relevant to yours, why not jump in and join the conversation? Commenting doesn’t immediately provide an increase in referral traffic, but making a name for yourself by leaving insightful, thought-provoking comments on industry-related platforms is a great way to get your name out there and subsequently result in driving traffic to your page. Engage with other people within your niche, and don’t leave spam links on unrelated websites.
Interact with Followers and Anyone Who Mentions You
Social media platforms are all about making connections and starting conversations. Just as you should be sharing inspiring content on a regular basis, you should also be monitoring your presence while making an effort to interact with your fans and followers. Starting interactions will help you build a loyal and responsive following. Don’t be afraid to engage and participate in discussions to create a presence that’s worth following.
Find, Follow, and Build Relationships Within Your Industry
Social media is the perfect way to find and follow leaders in your industry. Remember that it’s not always about competition. Don’t hesitate to support others who are creating inspiring content related to your industry. Engage and collaborate with influencers who have the same audience that you’re targeting. Forming relationships could pay significant dividends in the future — from boosting your following to opening doors for other influencers to build relationships with you.
You can get the ball rolling by finding and following influential bloggers and brands. Retweet or share their content on your social media accounts, and don’t hesitate to slide in their DMs to say hi. But of course, remember to stay kind, genuine, and always have good intentions.
Lastly, Attend Industry-Related Conventions and Conferences
Whatever type of industry you’re in, there’s likely an upcoming convention or conference relevant to your line of social media work. Attending such events is an excellent way to meet other influencers, fans, and people within the scope of your target audience. The fact that you get to communicate with them on a face-to-face basis is a great way to establish yourself in your industry and gain significant exposure for your social media page.
