The fine line between entrepreneurs and marketing.
Most entrepreneurs consider social media strictly a marketing tool. However, when it is used the right way social media becomes the perfect place to become a more skilled entrepreneur. If you are connecting with others, you can learn from them, growing your skill set and encourage them. The result? New techniques which can be used to build yourself a stronger business.
Learn About Your Audience
Start with knowing your target audience. This is essential. Once you know who they are, these are some questions you could ask.
- What do they like?
- Which social networks do they prefer?
- When are they most active?
- Who do they tend to follow most?
Joining social media helps you gain insight into your target audience. This leads to better marketing in the future. It helps to pay close attention to other businesses in your industry to get a better idea of your audience’s likes and dislikes. Knowing your audience also helps you with step two.
Follow Other Entrepreneurs
Follow well known entrepreneurs on sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. These people will often share advice, useful articles and tools you can use to grow your own business. While starting with well know entrepreneurs is best, eventually branch out and follow some who are lesser known, maybe?closer to your niche. This creates a well rounded view of running a business.
Learn more about Instagram by reading 6 Instagram Photo Tips and more about LinkedIn by reading 6 Mistakes to Stop Making on LinkedIn.
Become An Industry Leader
One thing you’ll notice quickly on social media is every good entrepreneur is sharing useful content to their audience. Now is your chance to do the same. The better the content you share, the more followers you’ll gain. When readers and other entrepreneurs start sharing your content, you’ll be introduced to a wider audience and new clients.
Learn From The Competition
Social media gives you an excellent chance to discover what your competition is doing. Have you ever wondered:
- Why they’re seeing more success than you?
- Why does their social media marketing work when yours doesn’t?
The best way to find out is to see exactly how they use social media. Follow them and learn when they post, what types of updates they use, how they interact with their followers and what gets their audience responding.
While you don’t have to copy the competition, it gives you a starting point to build from. Why recreate the wheel when multiple others have shown what actually works? Now that you’ve studied their approach, improve on it to become a better marketer and gain valuable leads.
Ask For Help
This is for times when you’ve done your research and you cannot find out how to do something. Social media is full of helpful entrepreneurs who were once in the same boat as you. Don’t be afraid to ask for their advice or tips. While you might not get a detailed business plan, you might get the information you need to take your business to the next level.
Social media is for much more than just marketing. It’s a way to build your skills and learn from others. Along the way, you’ll gain new leads and continue to grow your business. It’s free to join and the knowledge you gain is priceless.
Are you overwhelmed with business chaos and need someone to help implement a marketing plan for you. Reach out to the Chaos Whisperer today!