We all know that social media is a great tool for connecting with current
and potential clients. Are you really using it to your advantage? How do you
connect with your target audience in a meaningful way that will help them
and turn them into clients? Here are a few tips that might help.
1. Go Where They Are. Your potential clients are hanging out somewhere
online. It might be on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google +, Pinterest or a
host of other channels. You just need to figure out where they gather and
meet them there. I know there are a lot of options but just choose one or
two of these to start that captures your audience. Learn what you can about
that social media avenue so that you’re in the right place at the right
time.
2. What Do You Have in Common? Social media offers us the opportunity to
find out more about our customers on a personal level. Maybe you both like
fishing, love dogs or adore your children. Reach out to them and have
discussions about these topics. It helps to make this personal connection
so that they see you as a real person and not just someone trying to sell to
them all the time.
3. Be Helpful. Remember that you are here to serve them. You want to
provide meaningful information while making these connections. Answer
questions and offer advice on forums and other such places. You can also
collect the advice and answers and create a blog post or product that will
help them even further. Your audience will appreciate your support and see
you as an expert.
Those are just three small ways that you can make more meaningful
connections with your target audience using social media. What are your
favorites? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the ways I’ve mentioned as well
as other ways.
I’ve found #1 to be really important lately. It’s too much to try to be everywhere and if you can identify where the people you want to work with actually *are* and focus your effort there you’ll have much better results.
Hey Loretta!
Agreed! Social media can be overwhelming–especially when it seems as though new platforms are popping up every day! Knowing where your customers are and focusing there is key. Thanks for stopping by:)
I went from FB which was more personal to twitter which was more blog and business; however, once my twitter friends started crossing over to my FB acct it has become much more of a blend. I guess twitter is still my main platform but the difference is shrinking.
Locally, I do have more business people I know on LinkedIn; I still haven’t embraced that like I should.
Yes, good advice however; find out where you audience is and start hanging out there, huh? And be purposeful……..
Hey Alicia,
Your “3 small ways” are really quite BIG! 🙂 Your #2 (what do you have in common) is probably the one where small businesses fall down because it is easier to have a presence (#1) and be helpful (#3) than figure out the other intersections.
Getting social and writing blog posts do a lot to help us let down our hair and interact around common ground.
Hey Vernessa!
This is so true! I think sometimes we get wrapped up in what we have to offer and making that look really appealing to potential clients or customers. When we take the path of finding out what we have in common and we can relate a bit it kind of breaks the ice. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing your great advice and tips on how to find people in your niche to interact with. There are so many people and social media platforms to choose from. Choose the ones that work for you and you will find the clients you are looking to serve.
Hi Barbara,
I totally agree with you. It can be overwhelming but you want to focus on where your clients are. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks Alicia great post!
Thank you, Estelle. I appreciate you stopping by!
The three are so intrinsically intertwined … you’re right that it will be hard to get momentum if you overlook any one of the areas you touched on. Great insight, Alicia!
Hi Sharon,
I love the way that you put it–they are all intertwined. That’s perfect. Thanks for the visit!
I agree with what you’ve said, Alicia. I know that social media is about making connections and I have been so swamped I have neglected that for awhile!
Hi Meryl,
I completely understand and that happens to us all–myself included! As solopreneurs we are so busy all the time. Sometimes we get wrapped up in a project or product launch and everything else falls by the wayside. The good thing is that social media is still there so we can jump back in:)
Great advice about Going Where They Are. It’s very smart to narrow your social media efforts to when your demographic is most likely to see it.
Hi Terre,
Thanks! It can make social media a bit less overwhelming when you just need to focus on certain places.
Hi Alicia,
Good tips – I like No. # 1 as well. Facebook and twitter have both been helpful in being able to share my message and build relationships with others. Take care.
Hi Cathy,
I received my first couple of clients via Twitter so it has been invaluable to me!
These are great suggestions, Alicia. I especially enjoy doing #2, but all three are so very important and as you say, can make a real difference.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much for stopping by and weighing in!
Great thoughts Alicia. Social media can be overwhelming – and actually your idea of starting small and simple is in alignment with my philosophy as well!
Hi Michael,
So glad to hear that we are in alignment! It helps to work on these big overwhelming things in little bits at a time.
Excellent post and you are so right about all three. We need to act on them daily in order to help, grow and prosper.